Hula Dance
How does hula dance tell a story?
In this 3-5 lesson, students will discover how hula dance tells a story through rhythmic patterns and gestures. Students will gather information about the history of hula. They will choreograph and perform a hula dance that tells a story.
Lesson Content
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Locate Hawaii on a world map.
- Research and gather information on Hawaii and the hula dance.
- Create a lei with facts about Hawaii and the hula dance.
- Dance the gestures and movements to a traditional hula dance.
- Plan a story map of movements and gestures.
- Choreograph an original hula dance that tells a story.
- Perform a hula dance for an audience.
Standards Alignment
Recommended Student Materials
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Websites
Videos
Additional Materials
- String
- Hole punch
- Construction paper
Teacher Background
Teachers should be familiar with the history of hula dance, movements, and gestures before teaching this lesson.
Student Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with story elements and basic dance movements and gestures.
Accessibility Notes
Modify and adapt movements as needed. Allow extra time and space for dance movements.
Engage
- Display a or explore the. Discuss with students how Hawaii is a group of volcanic islands and is a state of the U.S.
- Have students brainstorm what they know about hula dance. Create a (what we Know, what we Want to know, what we Learned) and fill out the “K” section.
- Show students hula movements from the Keali'i Reichel video. Tell students that hula movements have meaning. As you watch the video clips, generate a class list of the movements and gestures observed from the dancers.
- Revisit the KWL Chart. Fill out the “W” section by asking students to list things they’d like to know about hula dance and about Hawaii.
Build
- Review the items in the “W” section of the KWL chart. Ask students: How can we learn the answers to our questions?
- Distribute the . Have students research and gather information from the and . Share any additional books, media, or websites available.
- Create a lei featuring information about the hula. Divide the students into groups of two or three. First, distribute scissors, string, markers, and construction paper or the . Students can use the flower template or free-hand draw onto construction paper. Next, write important facts from the onto the flower. Last, poke a hole or use a hole punch to string the flowers.
- Allow time for students to create their lei’s. Regroup and fill in the “L” section of the chart.
Apply
- Watch the hula tutorial, . Have students learn the steps and Hawaiian “I Kona” song lyrics. Encourage students to join in with the dancers on the video. Add the movements, gestures and their meaning to the list generated from the Keali'i Reiche video. Allow sufficient time for students to practice the steps.
- Create an original hula dance that tells a story. Divide the class into small groups and distribute the . Review each step on the handout with your class, and clarify any questions they may have.
- Explain how to use the story map as a guide to plan the hula dance. Students should brainstorm ideas using the hula dance gestures. The next step is for students to write down their ideas. Encourage the students to discuss their ideas and work collaboratively to write their story.
- Have students create a story map. Tell the students to name or draw the hula gesture along with the words to the story that each gesture depicts.
- Distribute and review the . Allow time for the students to choreograph and practice their dances using their story maps. Students can choose to narrate the dance or allow for interpretation.
Reflect
- Perform the hula dances for an audience. Ask the audience to interpret the story details. After the performances, have students ask questions about the story.
- Assess students’ knowledge of hula dance with the . Have a follow-up discussion about how the dancers communicated their stories. Ask students: What was the mood of the story? What was the story about?
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Adaptation
Rebecca Haden
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Editor
JoDee Scissors
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Updated
February 23, 2022
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