China-Ribbon Dance

Lesson Background

The Chinese ribbon dance is a traditional performance art in Chinese culture, typically performed during celebrations and festivals. It involves dancers manipulating long, colorful ribbons attached to sticks, creating flowing and intricate patterns in the air. The dance is characterized by graceful movements, twirls, and spins, and it requires precision and skill to control the ribbons effectively. The ribbon dance is often accompanied by traditional Chinese music and is a popular and visually captivating form of cultural expression, showcasing the beauty and grace of Chinese dance tradition.

Objectives

  • Motor: Students will be able to perform a figure eight pattern successfully while following along the tempo of the beat and video in ¾ trials when verbally prompted by the instructor during the activity portion.
  • Cognitive: Students will be able to identify the correct pattern movement(wave, figure eight, twirls) when shown an image with no caption, when verbally prompted during the check for understanding portion, observed by the instructor.
  • Affective: Students will share one aspect that spoke to them personally and promote in terms of wand pattern during the closure portion of class when verbally prompted by the instructor.
  • Skill Focus: Dance and Rhythm.

Equipment

  • Media device(Laptop, projector, tablet, speaker, etc.)
  • Ribbons
  • Open space
  • Song or tempo of 150-250 BPM

Activity Description

  • The instructor will Introduce students to the Chinese ribbon dance, explaining its cultural significance and the use of ribbon wands to create flowing and graceful movements.
  • The instructor will then demonstrate to students’ basic movements such as figure-eight patterns, circles, and waves with the ribbon wands.
  • The instructor will then emphasize the importance of fluidity and coordination in the arm and hand movements.
  • Once the instructor is confident on student’s competency, traditional Chinese music or video will play to accompany the dance and emphasize the connection between the dance movements and the rhythm of the music.
  • Once students are confident on their skills, the instructor will divide students into small groups and allow them to practice the basic movements with the ribbon wands.
  • Encourage them to work together to create synchronized and harmonious patterns with the ribbons.
  • Once the students are comfortable with the movements, organize a simple performance where they can showcase the Chinese ribbon dance, either in small groups or as a whole class.
Chinese Ribbon Dance Photo