Introduction
Bhangra is a folk dance originating in Majha area of the Punjab region; the Punjab region is comprised of parts of eastern Pakistan and northern India. This dance is suitable for grades 4+.
The bhangra that is most widely danced in Canada is modern bhangra.
Bhangra is danced in sync with others and allows students to explore and develop their spatial awareness skills.
Dance
Rationale
This section of the unit allows students to learn some basic bhangra steps. They will also gain an understanding and appreciation of Indo-Canadian culture.
The Big Idea "Movement skills and strategies help us learn how to participate in different types of physical activity" is utilized as students will come to appreciate the benefits of dance.
For cross-curricular connections, we could link bhangra to social studies (Indo-Canadian culture), and music (listening for beats, different instruments, etc.).
As this dance is based upon participation with a partner and relies heavily on synchronization, it is most appropriate for grade 4 and up.
Story Behind the Music
Bhangra dance, in particular, modern bhangra is danced to prerecorded audio mixes rather than live music. However, these prerecorded mixes still feature elements of traditional bhangra music (e.g. use of the dhol (double-headed drum) and sitar, and haunting and stirring vocalizations underneath the lyrics, etc.).
Dance Routine
I. Knee bends
5 x 2 beats
Facing away from partner with hands on hips
Beat 1: Wait
Beat 2: Bend knees
II. Forward Step
4 x 4 beats
Front arm outstretched, back arm above and behind head
Beats 1-2: Kick front foot forward
Beats 3-4: Step forward with back foot (180°)
III. Front step crossover
4 x 4 beats
Arms in front of torso, and elbows bent
Move arms up and down
Beat 1: Cross left leg over
Beat 2: Uncross
Beat 3: Tap foot down next to right foot
Beat 4: Hop slightly to the left
Repeat III. twice for left and right
IV. Arm raises with leg extension
Beat 1: Raise arms above head and extend left leg from the knee
Beat 2: Bring arms down and knee inwards
Beat 3: Raise arms above head and extend left leg from the knee
Beat 4: Step down onto left foot
Repeat IV. twice for left and right
V. Arm rotations to centre and side hop
1 x 4 beats
Beat 1: Hop onto right leg
Beat 2: Hop onto left leg
Beat 3: Hop back onto right leg while bringing left arm up, back, and to the centre on top of right arm
Beat 4: Hop back onto left leg while bringing right arm up, back, and to the centre on top of left arm
VI. Arm rotations to the back and centre with side hop
1 x 2 beats
Beat 1: Hop onto right leg while bringing both arms back and down to your sides
Beat 2: Hop onto left leg while bringing both arms straight out to the centre
Repeat V.
VII. Cross with tap and kick
2 x 4 beats
Hands on hips
Beat 1: Hop onto right leg
Beat 2: Cross left leg over right and tap
Beat 3: Uncross left leg and tap
Beat 4: Kick left leg from the knee twice
Repeat with opposite leg
VIII. Cross with tap and arm cross
2 x 4 beats
Beat 1: Hop onto right leg
Beat 2: Cross left leg over and tap, while bringing arms across body to the right
Beat 3: Hop onto left leg
Beat 4: Cross right leg over and tap, while bringing arms across body to the left
IX. Varied arms with side hop
1 x 8 beats
Arms out by your sides
Beat 1: Hop onto right leg and bend left from the knee
Beat 2: Hop onto left leg and bend right leg from the knee
Beat 3: Hop onto right leg and bend left from the knee
Beat 4: Hop onto left leg and bend right leg from the knee
Bring arms across body
Beat 5: Hop onto right leg and bend left from the knee
Bring arms up, over, and across
Beat 6: Hop onto left leg and bend right leg from the knee
Beat 7: Hop onto right leg and bend left from the knee
Beat 8: Hop onto left leg and bend right leg from the knee
X. Arm cross with leap
1 x 2 beats
Bring arms down, cross in the centre, then back up to shoulder level
Beat 1: Stand with both feet planted
Beat 2: Leap into the air while swinging arms up and above your head in a circle twice
XI. Pivot
3 x 2 beats
Arms in front of torso, and elbows bent
Move arms up and down
Beat 1: Wait
Beat 2: Pivot away from partner
XII. Ending
Turn to face audience with arms in a position of your choosing
Assessment
Formative & Continuous Assessment
Formative assessment will be made out throughout the lesson by regularly observing student progress and adjusting activities to suit student needs.
- Video Recording (if applicable)
- Teacher Observation and Reflection
- Ask students questions to assess their progress
At the beginning of each lesson, ask students what they learned last class to help them review and build understanding.
In the end of each lesson, ask students what they have learned in the class to have them recall and think back.
Student Self-Assessment
As mentioned above, debrief with students in the beginning of the class and also the end of the class to help them assess through themselves. Also, have students self-assess in the end of the unit.
Summative Assessment
At the end of the unit, assess students summatively to find out the specific shortcoming of individual students to build up better learning.
An overview of all new concepts learned is also completed through the questions posed in the closure.