Diane Louise Jordan has the first of three dance sessions based on the famous story by Oscar Wilde.
1. The Graceful Reed and the Little Swallow
The first of three dance sessions based on one of Oscar Wilde's most popular stories - The Happy Prince.
Resources
Download audio
Download the audio for this dance session as an mp3 file
Teacher's Notes
Guidance on using the dance sessions in this unit with your group (pdf)
Lesson summary
Warm-up: Start by using your upper body to sway, bend, twist and turn like the Graceful Reed – on the spot. Then travel to a new space and perform your own graceful ‘Reed-like’ swaying sequence.
Sequence 1: The Palace of Sans-Souci. In groups of 3 or 4 to dance and play games within the confines of an imaginary garden.
Sequence 2: The Little Swallow. Travel through the spaces, twisting and turning, bending low and stretching high, with quick, light, agile steps.
Sequence 3: The Graceful Reed. Develop the movements practised in the warm-up to create a sequence of graceful swaying actions with low bows and curtsies on the spot.
Sequence 4: The Graceful Reed and the Little Swallow. Half the class spread out to perform the Reed’s graceful swaying and bowing movements on the spot while the other half travel round the Reeds like the little Swallow; bending low and stretching high with quick, light, agile steps. Swap groups and repeat.
Cool down: Slow walking steps through the spaces, stopping every now and then to slowly stretch up tall, like the Graceful Reed.
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