Dancing Through Different Cultures

 At one point during our history, American society was know as a “melting pot,” because there were people from all over the world, each with their own distinct cultures and customs. Contrary to common belief, America is not actually a “melting pot,” but more like a “salad bowl.” A melting pot implies people who come into a society, assimilate, and adopt the standard of their new adopted society. A salad bowl implies that you hold onto your culture even after you arrive. The different cultures mix, but also remain distinct in certain aspects; however, you can still tell them apart like in a salad. This American “salad bowl” is especially apparent in the various unique styles of dance portrayed across the nation.

In this webquest, you will visit the following websites regarding the four styles of cultural dance mentioned above. Read the necessary content to answer each question below. After visiting each of the websites, answer each question listed below the website in complete sentences. The student will be given 3 days.

I. Native American Dance Style

Go to the following site and read the web page.

www.powwows.com/category/articles/powwow/dancing/

a)   Name the nine (9) Native American dance styles.

b)   What is the most popular style?

c)   What style is considered the newest for women?

1. On the top right search bar, type Pow Wow Trail The Drum, then select this video.

Watch the first 15 minutes of the video and answer the following questions:

a)   What is a Pow Wow?

b)   Describe the relationship of the drum to Native Americans.

c)   What is the drum compared to? List all and the reasons why.

2. Search the calendar to see when the next Pow Wow will be in your state.

II.     African Dance

1.     Go to the following site and read the web page.

http://www.afrotonic.com.au/performances.htm     

a)   How did African's keep the tradition of dance alive when they came to the new world?

b)   What were reasons for dancing?

c)   Give examples of how the dancers made their music in Africa.

2. Using the navigation bar, click on Performances. Scroll down to the first video and view it. After watching the video, respond to the questions listed below: 

a)   What parts of the body are typically used in the dance?

b)   How can you compare the traditional African dance styles to today's dance styles?

c)   What is something new you have learned about African dance?

III. Latin Ballroom dance

Go to the following URL. Read the passages entitled "Salsa", "Rueda de Casino", and "Meringue". After reading the passages, answer the following questions.

http://www.danceintime.com/history.htm

1. What kinds of music influenced Salsa dance as a result of Latino immigration to the U.S. in the 1950's?

2. How would a dance leader indicate dance move changes in the Rueda de Casino dance, which is done in loud dance halls and clubs?

3. Describe the characteristics of music used in Meringue dancing, and explain the basic moves of the dance.

IV. Chinese Dragon Dance; Celebrating the New Year

Go to the following site, read the web page, then answer the following questions:

www.dragondanceperformance.com/about.html

1. Why do many Chinese people use the term “Descendants of the Dragon”?
2. What are the five qualities of the dragon that reflect why it is believed to bring good luck?
3. (Fill in the blanks): In the dance, a team of people carry the dragon on _______________, and can be composed of up to ______________ people.
4. Length of the Dragon:

        a) What is the range of length of the dragons used in the dances? (Give answer in meters)

        b) The longest dragon discussed had how many sections?

        c) What is the myth behind the length of the dragon?

        d) Inferring from the previous question, would it be better for the community to have a long dragon or a short dragon?

1. What are the four main colors used to paint the dragons, and what does each of those colors symbolize?
2. List at least three different patterns of the dragon dance.
3. What does the movement “dragon chasing the pearl” symbolize?
4. On the top right-hand-side of the page, click “HOME,” then answer the following question:

        ~How much would it cost to have the Wushu Shaolin Productions Dragon Dance Show

            brought here to Louisiana and what would the show include?

Student/Group Name: _______________________________________ Date: ____________________

     Total Points = _____/100

Conclusion: In conclusion, different cultures express their beliefs and traditions through dance. Although cultural dance is most often used to worship deities or tell stories, in many parts of the world, it is regarded as a popular recreational activity. Dances of different cultures are greatly influenced by the location where the dance originated and the cultural music of the area. When people begin to migrate to parts of the world where diverse cultures exist, dances may evolve to integrate new music.

Josetta Cunningham

Kaysee Carrere

Lacey Faucheux

Nashanta Benjamin

Maranda Law

Fabiola Brown

Cultural Dance Webquest

Subject Area: Fine Arts

Grade Level: 10th – 12th

Lesson Topic: Cultural Dances: Chinese, Native American, African, Latin Ballroom

Objective: After completing the webquest, the student will be able to write a multi-paragraph essay describing ways in which each of the four different cultures celebrate their ancestry through dance.

GLE/Benchmarks: LA.ARTS.AP.2D.H2 ...analyzing the unique characteristics of dance as it reflects the quality of everyday life in various cultures; (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Description: The purpose of this webquest is to help the student develop an understanding of how different cultures represent themselves through dance.