Class: Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2 / JS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 9
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Curriculum Theme: Cultural and Creative Arts
Previous Lesson: Dance as a Career: Definition of Career as It Refers to Dance.
Topic: ASPECT OF DANCE AS A CAREER
Subject Matter: Appreciation of dance as a profession.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define dance as a profession.
Identify various career opportunities in dance.
State the skills required for a dance career.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate dance as a viable and respected profession.
Value the dedication and training involved in a dance career.
Show interest in exploring dance as a potential career path.

Psychomotor Domain:

List different roles a professional dancer can take.
Discuss the benefits of pursuing a career in dance.

Participate in discussions about dance careers.
Collaborate with peers to identify famous dancers and their contributions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Cultural and Creative Arts JSS 2.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Cultural and Creative Arts JSS 2.
Cultural and Creative Arts for Junior Secondary Schools Book 2.
https://www.google.com/search?q=career+in+dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dance+career+paths

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Pictures of various dancers in different roles (e.g., stage dancer, choreographer).
Video clips showing different dance styles and professional dancers.
Charts illustrating career paths in dance.
Music player with various dance tunes.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand that dance is not just a hobby but a legitimate and rewarding profession. It enables them to explore various career opportunities within the dance industry and appreciate the skills and dedication required to succeed as a dance professional.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of different types of dance and have participated in some dance activities in previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

ASPECT OF DANCE AS A CAREER

Appreciation of Dance as a Profession

Dance as a profession means pursuing dance as a full-time job or career. It involves formal training, dedication, and the use of dance skills to earn a living and contribute to society.

The following are aspects of dance as a career:

Professional Dancer: Performs in various settings like theatres, movies, music videos, and cultural events.
Choreographer: Creates and arranges dance routines for performances, shows, or competitions.
Dance Teacher/Instructor: Teaches dance techniques, styles, and theory to students of all ages in schools, studios, or community centres.
Dance Therapist: Uses dance and movement to help individuals improve physical, mental, and emotional health.
Dance Critic/Journalist: Reviews and writes about dance performances, providing insights and analysis.
Dance Administrator/Manager: Manages dance companies, events, or programs, handling logistics, marketing, and finances.
Dance Researcher/Historian: Studies and documents the history, theory, and cultural significance of dance.
Fitness Instructor (with dance focus): Leads dance-based fitness classes like Zumba or aerobics.

Skills Required for a Dance Career

To succeed in a dance profession, individuals need:

Physical fitness, strength, and flexibility.
Strong sense of rhythm and musicality.
Discipline and dedication to training.
Creativity and expressive ability.
Good coordination and balance.
Perseverance and resilience.
Ability to work well with others (teamwork).

Benefits of a Dance Career

Pursuing a career in dance offers several advantages:

Opportunity for creative self-expression.
Maintains physical fitness and health.
Chance to travel and perform globally.
Contributes to cultural preservation and promotion.
Provides entertainment and inspiration to audiences.
Builds discipline and confidence.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson briefly. The teacher then asks pupils what they understand by dance and if they think dance can be a job.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greetings, recall the previous lesson, and share their ideas about dance and its potential as a job.
Learning Point: Pupils connect prior knowledge to the new topic and are introduced to the concept of dance as a career.

Step 2: Understanding Dance as a Profession

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that dance is not just a hobby but a serious profession that requires dedication, training, and skill. The teacher clarifies what it means for dance to be a professional pursuit.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions for clarification, and contribute their thoughts on dance as a professional activity.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition and seriousness of dance as a profession.

Step 3: Identifying Career Paths in Dance

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Brainstorming/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to brainstorm and identify various career paths available in the field of dance. The teacher lists and explains roles such as professional dancer, choreographer, dance teacher, and dance therapist, using pictures and video clips.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention different dance-related jobs they know or can imagine, and listen to the teacher’s explanations, taking notes.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand diverse career opportunities within the dance industry.

Step 4: Skills and Training for Dance Careers

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the essential skills required for a successful dance career, such as physical fitness, discipline, rhythm, and creativity. The teacher also touches on the importance of formal training and practice.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the necessary skills, share personal experiences with dance training, and understand the commitment required.
Learning Point: Pupils recognise the effort, talent, and training involved in pursuing a dance profession.

Step 5: Benefits of a Dance Career

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the benefits of pursuing a career in dance, including opportunities for self-expression, physical health, travel, and cultural contribution.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute their ideas on the positive aspects of being a dance professional.
Learning Point: Pupils appreciate the rewarding aspects and advantages of a dance career.

Step 6: Challenges in a Dance Career

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly discusses potential challenges faced by dance professionals, such as physical demands, competition, and potential for irregular income, to provide a balanced view.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the realistic aspects and potential difficulties of a dance career.
Learning Point: Pupils gain a more complete and realistic understanding of the dance profession.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define dance as a profession.
Mention three career opportunities in dance.
List two skills important for a professional dancer.
State one benefit of pursuing a dance career.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing that dance is a respected and viable career option. The teacher gives pupils homework to research a famous Nigerian dancer and write about their career.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework.
Learning Point: Key concepts are reinforced, and pupils are encouraged to explore further.

Lesson Keywords

Profession – A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.
Choreographer – A person who creates sequences of movements for dances.
Dancer – A person who dances, especially professionally.
Dance Therapy – The use of dance and movement to improve physical, mental, and emotional health.
Dance Critic – A person who evaluates and writes reviews of dance performances.

Differentiation

For pupils who are struggling, the teacher will provide simplified definitions and focus on identifying just two or three main career paths. Visual aids will be used more extensively. For advanced pupils, the teacher will encourage them to research specific dance institutions or famous choreographers, and discuss the global opportunities in dance.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should encourage pupils to share their personal experiences with dance or knowledge of local dance professionals. Using local examples of traditional or contemporary dancers can make the lesson more relatable. Ensure video clips are age-appropriate and highlight diverse dance forms.