Nigerian Dance Styles, Improvisation, Composition and Techniques for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 11
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Music
Curriculum Theme: Nigerian Dance Styles, Improvisation, Composition and Techniques
Previous Lesson: Nigerian Musical Instruments Across Ethnic Groups
Topic: Nigerian dance styles
Subject Matter: Dance Improvisation; Dance Composition; Dance Techniques

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Define dance improvisation.
• Explain the concept of dance composition.
• Identify various Nigerian dance techniques.
• Differentiate between modern dance and traditional Nigerian dance.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the creativity involved in dance improvisation and composition.
• Show interest in exploring different Nigerian dance techniques.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate basic dance improvisation movements.
• Apply simple principles of dance composition in a short sequence.
• Execute some fundamental Nigerian dance techniques.

Social Domain

• Collaborate effectively in groups to choreograph a dance sequence.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Music textbook for SS 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Projector and screen
• Audio speakers
• Video clips of Nigerian traditional and contemporary dances
• Open space for practical demonstrations
• Musical instruments (optional, for live accompaniment)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it provides students with a foundational understanding of the creative processes and technical skills required in dance. It enables them to move beyond mere observation to active participation in and appreciation of Nigerian dance forms. Understanding improvisation, composition, and techniques enhances their overall musical and artistic literacy.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of different Nigerian traditional dances and their cultural contexts.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Nigerian Dance Styles

Dance Improvisation

Dance improvisation is the spontaneous creation of movement without prior planning or choreography. It involves moving freely and expressively in response to music, a theme, or an internal impulse.

Characteristics of Dance Improvisation:

1. Spontaneity: Movements are created in the moment.
2. Exploration: Dancers explore new movements and ideas.
3. Responsiveness: Movements react to stimuli like music, space, or other dancers.
4. Freedom: It encourages uninhibited expression and creativity.

Dance Composition

Dance composition is the art of creating a structured dance piece by arranging and developing movements, gestures, and patterns. It involves making deliberate choices about space, time, energy, and relationships to convey a theme or idea.

Elements of Dance Composition:

1. Space: Use of stage area, levels (high, medium, low), directions, pathways, and shapes.
2. Time: Speed (tempo), rhythm, duration, and accents of movements.
3. Energy: Force, flow, and quality of movement (e.g., sharp, smooth, strong, light).
4. Relationship: Interaction between dancers, with objects, or with the audience.

Stages of Dance Composition:

1. Idea/Theme Generation: Choosing a concept or story.
2. Movement Exploration: Generating movements related to the theme.
3. Structuring: Arranging movements into phrases, sections, and a complete piece.
4. Refinement: Polishing and perfecting the choreography.

Dance Techniques

Dance techniques refer to the specific skills, methods, and training used to execute dance movements effectively and safely. They involve mastering body control, alignment, strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

Examples of Nigerian Dance Techniques:

1. Torso Isolation: Specific movements of the chest, waist, and hips, common in dances like those of the Igbo, Yoruba, and Efik peoples.
2. Footwork Patterns: Intricate and rhythmic foot movements, often seen in dances from the Hausa, Tiv, and Urhobo cultures.
3. Arm and Hand Gestures: Expressive use of arms and hands to tell stories or convey emotions, prevalent across many Nigerian ethnic groups.
4. Grounding: Low centre of gravity and strong connection to the earth, characteristic of many traditional African dances.
5. Rhythmic Body Percussion: Using parts of the body (clapping, stomping) to create rhythmic accompaniment, integral to many Nigerian dance forms.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Group Work, Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall some Nigerian traditional dances they know. The teacher then introduces the lesson topic, explaining that they will explore how dances are created and performed.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by naming various Nigerian traditional dances and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Recall of Nigerian dances

Step 2: Dance Improvisation Explained and Demonstrated

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of dance improvisation, highlighting its spontaneous nature. The teacher then plays a short piece of Nigerian instrumental music and demonstrates simple improvised movements, encouraging fluid and free expression.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanation, observe the teacher’s demonstration, and ask questions for clarity.

Learning Point: Understanding improvisation concept

Step 3: Practical Improvisation Session

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to stand in an open space and encourages them to try their own improvised movements to different Nigerian rhythms. The teacher provides gentle prompts to explore various body parts and levels.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the improvisation exercise, exploring spontaneous movements to the music.

Learning Point: Basic improvisation practice

Step 4: Dance Composition Principles

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains dance composition as the structured creation of dance, contrasting it with improvisation. The teacher discusses key elements like space, time, energy, and relationship, showing short video clips of Nigerian dances to illustrate these elements.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanation, watch the video clips, and discuss how the elements are applied in the dances shown.

Learning Point: Composition elements identified

Step 5: Group Composition Activity

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Work/Facilitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into small groups and gives them a simple theme (e.g., “harvest,” “celebration,” “storytelling”). Each group is tasked with creating a very short, simple dance sequence (2-3 movements) using basic composition principles.

Pupils’ Activity: Students work in groups to brainstorm and choreograph a short dance sequence based on the assigned theme.

Learning Point: Group composition application

Step 6: Nigerian Dance Techniques

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what dance techniques are and highlights common techniques found in Nigerian dances (e.g., torso isolation, specific footwork, arm gestures). The teacher demonstrates a few simple examples of these techniques.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the explanation and observe the demonstrations of Nigerian dance techniques.

Learning Point: Nigerian dance techniques

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

1. What is dance improvisation?
2. Mention two elements of dance composition.
3. Name two common Nigerian dance techniques.
4. How does modern dance differ from traditional Nigerian dance in terms of technique or structure?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding dance concepts

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on dance improvisation, composition, and techniques into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key concepts of improvisation, composition, and techniques, emphasizing their importance in creating and understanding dance. The teacher encourages students to continue exploring different Nigerian dance styles.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen to the summary and prepare for the next lesson.

Learning Point: Lesson concepts reinforced

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Project/Group Work

Instruction: In your groups, choreograph a short contemporary dance (2-3 minutes) on any theme of your choice, incorporating elements of improvisation, composition, and at least two Nigerian dance techniques discussed in class. Be prepared to perform it next week.

1. Choose a theme for your dance.
2. Brainstorm movements and ideas.
3. Structure your dance using composition principles.
4. Integrate at least two Nigerian dance techniques.
5. Practice your choreography for presentation.

Lesson Keywords

• Improvisation – Spontaneous creation of movement without prior planning.
• Composition – The art of structuring and arranging dance movements.
• Techniques – Specific skills and methods used to execute dance movements.
• Choreography – The process of creating and arranging dances.
• Movement – Any physical action or gesture in dance.

Differentiation

For learners who find movement challenging, provide simpler, guided improvisation exercises and focus on identifying elements of composition in videos. For advanced learners, encourage them to explore more complex compositional structures and incorporate a wider range of Nigerian dance techniques into their group choreography, perhaps even analyzing the historical context of certain movements.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for:

• “Nigerian dance improvisation examples”
• “Elements of dance composition explained”
• “Traditional Nigerian dance techniques”
• “Differences between traditional and modern Nigerian dance”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure the classroom or designated dance space is clear and safe for movement. Have video clips of Nigerian traditional and contemporary dances ready to illustrate improvisation, composition, and techniques. During the lesson, actively demonstrate movements and encourage student participation, providing positive feedback. When guiding group composition, circulate to offer support and ensure all students are contributing. Emphasize safety during practical activities. Students should copy the Board Summary notes during the dedicated note-taking step. Check for understanding throughout the lesson by asking questions and observing practical work. Provide extra guidance for students struggling with movement coordination and challenge faster learners with more intricate creative tasks.