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

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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. 

Music

Demonstration Video

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 

Scope: CAPS

Sequence: Block Plan

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.