Barefoot Revolution Slides Barefoot & Free
The Story of Isadora Duncan
Modern Dance Lab | Lesson 01
The Big Question
Why would a famous dancer decide to throw away her shoes and dance barefoot?
Is it for freedom?
Is it for rebellion?
Meet the Pioneer
Isadora Duncan (1877-1927)
"Mother of Modern Dance"
She hated the rules of ballet.
She thought ballet was stiff and unnatural.
She took off her corset and pointe shoes.
"I am an enemy of ballet... it is a false and preposterous art."
Nature's Dance
Isadora didn't look at other dancers. She looked at Nature.
Waves
Rising and falling
Wind
Swaying and gusting
Trees
Reaching and bending
The Solar Plexus
The Center of You
Isadora believed all dance should start in the center of the body, where we breathe.
Movement follows breath!
Inhale • Exhale • Move
Dance Lab: Scarves
Step 1: Soft Hands
Hold the scarf like it's a fragile cloud.
Step 2: Breathe In
As you inhale, lift the scarf high.
Step 3: Float Down
Let the scarf drift like a falling leaf.
The Challenge
"Try to make your body look like the scarf. Don't think about 'steps'—think about flowing!"
Nature Rhythm Worksheet Dance Lab Report
Experiment 01: Barefoot & Free
Researcher:
Date:
The Mission
Today, we are following in the footsteps of Isadora Duncan . We are breaking the rules of traditional ballet by looking at Nature for inspiration. No shoes, no corsets—just breath and movement.
Part 1: Natural Shapes
Ocean Waves
Sketch a wave. How does it move? (Fast, slow, rising, crashing?)
Swaying Grass
Sketch grass in the wind. Does it move from its roots or the top?
Part 2: The Scarf Experiment
1. When you moved with your scarf, what part of your body felt the most "free"?
2. Isadora Duncan said all dance starts with a breath. Try it: Take a big breath in and let your arms float up. How does this feel different from just lifting your arms?
3. Circle the "Rule" you liked breaking the most today:
NO SHOES
NO STIFF POSE
FREE FLOW
Duncan Dance Guide Teacher Resource Duncan Dance Guide
Teacher Facilitation Notes
Lesson 1 of 5
Duration: 45-60 min
The "Rule" to Break
"Traditional ballet is stiff, geometric, and restrained. It requires rigid posture and specific footwear."
Action: Move with nature, breathe from the core, and go barefoot.
Supplies
• Light silk/chiffon scarves
• Nature soundscapes
• Classical music (Chopin)
1
The Hook & History (10 min)
Introduce Isadora Duncan as a rebel. Show the slide of her throwing away her shoes. Ask: "How does it feel to walk through grass barefoot vs. in heavy boots? Why did Isadora want that feeling on stage?"
Key Point:
Isadora looked at the ocean, the wind, and ancient Greek art to find "natural" movement.
2
The Scarf Experiment (20 min)
Hand out scarves. Turn on soft nature sounds or classical music. Guide the students through three "states":
The Wave: Start low, inhale as you rise, let the scarf crash down.The Willow: Feet rooted, body sways softly from side to side.The Gust: Quick, light bursts of movement, then stillness.
3
Debrief & Lab Report (15 min)
Have students sit on the floor and complete their Nature Rhythm Worksheet . While they work, ask: "Did the scarf lead your body, or did your breath lead the scarf?"
Teacher's Quick-Fire Prompts
To Spark Movement
"Make your arms move like water filling up a glass."
To Spark Thought
"Is there a wrong way to dance in nature?"
Core Emotion Slides The Emotional Core
Martha Graham: Contract & Release
Modern Dance Lab | Lesson 02
The Feeling Body
Show me a shape with your body that looks like a stomach ache...
Now, show me a shape that looks like a deep breath.
Martha Graham
The Rule-Breaker
Martha thought dance should show real, deep emotions—even the messy ones like fear, sorrow, and anger.
New Rule:
"Movement never lies."
She moved from the Center (the gut) rather than just the arms and legs.
The Big Secret
Contract
• Pull the belly button in
• Round the spine
• Exhale strongly
• SHARP & TENSE
Release
• Tall, straight spine
• Open the chest
• Inhale deeply
• SOFT & STRONG
Jagged vs. Round
Jagged Shapes
Elbows out, knees bent, sharp angles. Like a lightning bolt!
Round Shapes
Curved arms, soft knees, circular movements. Like a bubble!
Your Mission
Use your core to tell a story without words.
Sharp and Soft Shapes Worksheet Dance Lab Report
Experiment 02: The Emotional Core
Researcher:
CONTRACT
The "Exhale" Move
Imagine someone pulled your belly button back to your spine. Your back rounds, your shoulders drop, and you squeeze your muscles tight.
RELEASE
The "Inhale" Move
Stand tall like a string is pulling the top of your head to the ceiling. Open your chest and take a huge, powerful breath.
Part 1: Shape Sketching
Jagged & Sharp
Emotion: Fear or Anger
Sketch a jagged person. Use elbows, knees, and pointed toes.
Soft & Round
Emotion: Joy or Peace
Sketch a round person. Use curved arms and soft, flowing lines.
Part 2: The Core Challenge
1. Which felt more powerful in your body: The Contract or The Release? Why?
2. Pick an emotion (Sad, Happy, Scared, Brave). How would you dance it using only your stomach and spine?
Emotion: __________________________________________________
Lab Conclusion
"Martha Graham taught us that our bodies can tell stories that our mouths can't find words for."
Graham Workshop Guide Teacher Resource Graham Workshop Guide
Core & Emotion Facilitation
Lesson 2 of 5
Duration: 45-60 min
The "Rule" to Break
"Dance should always look 'pretty,' effortless, and light. Performers should always have a smile on their faces."
Action: Show the struggle, the weight, and the 'ugly' emotions through the gut.
Technique
• Focus on the "Hollow" belly
• Floor work (sitting/kneeling)
• Percussive movement
1
The Gut Reaction (10 min)
Ask students to imagine they just heard a very loud "BOO!" or felt a sudden stomach ache. "What does your belly do? It pulls in, right?" That is a Contract . Now imagine taking a huge sigh of relief. That is a Release .
2
The Workshop Floor (25 min)
Have students sit on the floor with legs in a diamond shape. Lead them through the rhythm:
Count 1-2: Contract. Hiss the air out (Sssss!). Round the spine. Eyes to belly button.Count 3-4: Release. Inhale deeply. Grow tall through the head. Open the palms.Emotion Shift: Try contracting like you're Angry, then releasing like you're Brave.
3
Sharp & Soft Shapes (15 min)
Move to standing. Call out "Lightning Bolt!" (Students make a jagged, sharp shape) then "Cloud!" (Students make a soft, round shape). Repeat with different emotions.
Teaching Tips
Common Pitfall
Students often just move their heads. Remind them: "The movement starts in your stomach!"
Observation
Look for "Jagged" angles—elbows, wrists, and knees should be bent sharply.
Chance Dance Slides Roll of the Dice
Merce Cunningham: Chance Dance
Modern Dance Lab | Lesson 03
The Big Question
We are going to let a pair of dice decide our dance steps today...
Will it look like a mess or a masterpiece?
Merce Cunningham
The Ultimate Rebel
Merce believed dance didn't need a story. It was just movement for movement's sake.
Dance vs. Music
He often had the dancers move without hearing the music until the performance! He wanted them to be independent.
"I use chance to escape my own habits."
How It Works
1
Choose Moves
Pick 6 simple movements (jump, spin, reach, crawl, etc).
2
Assign Numbers
Give each move a number from 1 to 6.
3
Roll the Dice
Roll to decide the order of your dance! No planning allowed!
Abstract Art
Movement is enough!
Just like an abstract painting isn't always a picture of a house or a tree, a dance doesn't have to be a story about a person.
It can just be beautiful shapes moving through space.
Lab Time!
Get ready to roll.
Chance Dance Dice Key Worksheet Dance Lab Report
Experiment 03: Roll of the Dice
Researcher:
Subject: Merce Cunningham
1
Step 1: Create Your Dice Key
Choose 6 movements. They can be anything! (Example: Star Jump, Robot Walk, Slow Crawl, Giant Reach). Draw a tiny sketch or write the name of the move next to each number.
2
Step 2: Roll for Your Routine
Roll your dice 8 times. Record the number you get in each box. This is now the exact order of your dance! You cannot change it!
3
Part 3: The Results
1. Was your dance easy or hard to perform? Why?
2. Sometimes chance puts two moves together that seem "weird." What was the weirdest part of your routine?
Merce Cunningham liked "weird" moves! He used chance to find things he never would have thought of on his own.
Ailey Spirit Slides Dancing Our Stories
Alvin Ailey: Memories & Spirit
Modern Dance Lab | Lesson 04
Memory Lane
If you had to dance a memory of your favorite summer day...
The Heat?
The Water?
The Treats?
What would it look like?
Alvin Ailey
The Storyteller
Alvin Ailey didn't just want to break rules—he wanted to tell the stories of his community.
Soulful Dance
He mixed modern dance with "blood memories"—the things he remembered from growing up in the South.
"Dance is for everybody."
Alvin Ailey (1931-1989)
Revelations
This is his most famous dance. It shows three parts of the human spirit:
1. Sorrow (The Struggle)
2. Baptism (The Cleansing)
3. Joy (The Celebration)
The Magic of Ailey
"He took simple steps—like wading in water or holding an umbrella—and turned them into art."
Your Turn
The 3-Step Story
Think of a Memory.
Create 3 movements:
"Don't just dance a move. Dance the feeling behind it."
Memory Lab
Today, our stories
Memory Movement Map Worksheet Dance Lab Report
Experiment 04: Dancing Our Stories
Storyteller:
Subject: Alvin Ailey
Step 1: The Blood Memory
Alvin Ailey called his important memories "blood memories." Think of a strong memory you have. It could be happy, sad, or exciting.
My Memory is about:
The Setting (Where?)
The Feeling (Emotion?)
Step 2: Movement Map
Break your memory into 3 parts. What move shows the feeling of each part? (Example: If you are remembering the beach, Move 1 might be swimming arms.)
1. The Start
2. The Middle
3. The End
Part 3: The Spirit
What kind of music would you choose for your memory dance? Why?
"Alvin Ailey used the music of his spirit to make his dances come alive. When you perform, let your spirit show!"
Future Choreographers Slides The Future of Dance
Choreographer's Showcase
Modern Dance Lab | Final Project
The Lab Challenge
You are the Inventors now.
Your Goal:
"Create a dance that breaks one rule of traditional dance, just like our pioneers did!"
Rules to Break
Option A: Facing
Break the rule of "Always Face the Audience." Dance to the back or the sides!
Option B: Level
Break the rule of "Always Stand Up." Do your whole dance on the floor!
Option C: Sound
Break the rule of "Dance to Music." Dance in total silence or to nature sounds!
Your Own Idea!
Think of something else! No shoes? No "pretty" moves? It's your lab!
Lab Collaboration
1
Pick your "Broken Rule."
2
Use Contract & Release or Chance Dance to create moves.
3
Tell a Story or just show Shapes.
Pro Tip:
"Don't try to be perfect. Try to be ORIGINAL."
Success Guide
1. The Rule-Breaker
Did you clearly break a traditional dance rule?
2. Modern Technique
Did you use tools from Duncan, Graham, Cunningham, or Ailey?
3. Performance
Did you perform with focus and spirit?
It's Showtime!
Go to your Lab Stations.
Choreography Lab Planner Worksheet Choreography Lab Planner
Final Project: Breaking the Rules
Lab Group:
Mission: The Future of Dance
1
Part 1: The Broken Rule
We are breaking this traditional rule:
Always face the front
Always stand up
Always dance to music
Our own idea: ___________
Why did you choose this rule to break?
2
Part 2: The Choreography Map
Our Moves
List 4-5 key movements you will use.
Modern Tools
Check which pioneer tools you used.
Nature Rhythms (Duncan)
Contract & Release (Graham)
Roll of the Dice (Cunningham)
Story / Spirit (Ailey)
Part 3: Success Checklist
Criteria In Progress Ready! Rule Breaking
We clearly broke one traditional dance rule.
|
|
|
|
Pioneer Tools
We used at least one idea from a famous modern dancer.
|
|
|
|
Focus & Spirit
We stayed in character and performed with energy.
|
|
|
Show the future what you can do!
