Alvin Ailey: A Pioneer of Modern Dance Day 1

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Educator: Kylie Smith

Date: 10/6/18
Target Age group/level: 8th Grade
Length of lesson: 40 minutes

Focus of lesson: The focus of the lesson is to teach students the history of Alvin Ailey and help
them understand his impact on modern dance. The students will be learning the history of Alvin
Ailey by using the book Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Materials: Guided note worksheet, pencil

Resources: Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZuBFz6WYfs

State Curriculum Standards:

Anchor Standard 6: I can examine and perform dance styles from a variety of historical periods
and cultures.
Benchmark D.C AL. 6: I can create and perform movement based on specific historical and
cultural traditions.

Vocabulary:
Reviewed:
- Modern dance
- Choreography
New:
- Alvin Ailey

Learning Objectives Students will be able to:

Understand 1. understand how Alvin Ailey began his dancing career.

Explain 2. explain how impactful Alvin Ailey was in the past and how
his legacy has continued into present day.

Connection to Students will use their previous knowledge of modern dance and
previous learning choreography to understand the processes and hard work that it takes
to be successful in dance. The student’s previous knowledge of
 choreography will help assist them in making their own choreographic
phrases.
Instructional Introductory Activities: (10 minutes):
Procedures
1. To begin the lesson, the students will enter the classroom and
put their shoes in their spot on the side of the room.
2. I will begin class with a brief review of what modern dance is.
We will discuss the other modern dance pioneers that we have
discussed (Martha Graham: Lamentation, Lester Horton: The
Beloved, Katherine Dunham: Ballet Creole). I will ask the
students to demonstrate some of the specific movements we
have learned from those modern dance pioneers. We will then
review what we know about choreography so far. I will remind
the students of the various ways we have learned that we can
make choreography. From there I will inform students that we
will spend the next three days discussing Alvin Ailey.
3. I will ask the students if they have heard of Ailey before, and I
will be writing their ideas on the board.
4. From there, I will inform the students that Alvin Ailey was a
pioneer of modern dance. Ailey is particularly noted for his
fight for equality within dance. He was an advocate for African
Americans in the dance world and he took his upbringing in
the South to inspire his choreography.

Developmental Activities (20 minutes):

1. Next, I will be introducing the book that we will be using

throughout the lesson. I will explain to the students that we
will be working with the text first so that we can better
understand the story of Alvin Ailey. The students will then use
the text along with other media to create a choreographic piece
in honor of Ailey’s work.
2. To begin working with the book, I will provide the students
with a guided worksheet to help them take notes (see attached).
(Using guided notes is a literacy strategy often used in dance in
order to support student learning.) I will then read the story to
the students once through, pausing often so that the students
have time to write down their answers.
3. I will then divide the students into five small groups. The
students will then take turns reading the story to each other
while still working on their note worksheet. The students will
be given 10 minutes to reread the book before we begin the
next activity.

Concluding Activities (10 minutes):

1. After the students have completed their guided reading in their
groups, we will gather back together as a class to go over the
note worksheet. I will call on the students to answer the
questions. We will discuss each so that the students all have
the correct answers on their sheet.
2. I will then explain to the students that we will be watching
Revelations by Alvin Ailey. I will instruct the students to
watch the dance first without taking notes. After the video has
been played, the students will be able to answer the final
question on their guided note worksheet that asks about what
the students saw when watching Revelations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZuBFz6WYfs
3. I will allow the students to finish taking notes. I will then
collect their worksheets and inform then that we will continue
to study Alvin Ailey next class.
4. The students will put their shoes on and line up at the door.
 Name:
Date:

Note Worksheet for Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney

1. Who did Alvin Ailey see dance in Los Angles? How did that inspire his dancing?

2. Who is Lester Horton? How did he help Alvin Ailey begin his dancing career?

3. What is Alvin Ailey’s dance Revelations about?

4. Describe the movement you saw after watching Revelations:

 References

Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2014). Improving adolescent literacy: content area strategies at work.

Pearson Allyn & Bacon.

Pinkney, A. D. (1995). Alvin ailey. Turtleback Books.