A. Dance / C. Music · Music and Dance

Dance: Dancing with Props and Materials

A1.1 A2.2About 40 minutes

Learning goals

I can choose a prop that fits the idea of my dance.
I can use a prop in several ways: as an extension of my body, as a partner, as a place, or as a symbol.
I can change my relationship to a prop (in front of, inside, over, around) on purpose.
I can explain, using dance words, how a prop helps communicate a message.

Words to know

prop
An object a dancer moves with or around, such as a scarf, a chair, a stick or a hoop.

material
Something used in a dance that is not a solid object, like stretchy fabric, paper or ribbon.

extension
Using a prop as if it were a longer part of your body, so your movement reaches farther.

symbol
An object that stands for an idea. A red scarf might stand for fire or anger.

relationship (to a prop)
Where you are compared to the prop: in front of, behind, inside, over, under, around, near or far.

manipulate
To move or handle a prop with control: toss, wrap, drag, spin, fold.

Remember from Grade 5

In Grade 5 you used the element of relationship between dancers: mirroring, shadowing, near and far, over and under, and counterbalance. You also turned ideas from other subjects into movement.

This year you will add a new partner to your dances: a prop. A prop can be a scarf, a chair, a towel, a hoop, a sheet of newspaper or a long piece of stretchy fabric. Choreographers use props to make movement bigger, to show a place, or to stand for an idea.

Four ways to use a prop

As an extension of your body. A long scarf makes your arm look longer. Every curve your arm draws in the air is drawn again by the scarf, but bigger and slower.
As a partner. You can push, pull, hug, chase or hide from a prop, just like you would with a person. A chair can be a friend you lean on.
As a place or a shape in space. A hoop on the floor can be a pond, a home or a trap. A chair can be a mountain to climb.
As a symbol. A prop can stand for an idea. A crumpled paper might stand for a mistake. A folded scarf might stand for a secret. A long fabric might stand for a river or a road.

A prop should help the idea, not just look fun. Ask: Does the dance say more with the prop than without it?

Silk scarves, a hoop, a chair and stretchy fabric on a dance studio floor. — Each of these props could be used in a different way: as an extension of the body, a partner or a place. AI-generated image

The four ways to use a prop: as an extension of the body, as a partner, as a place, and as a symbol. Notice how the same dancer tells a different story with each.

Four relationships between a dancer and a prop: standing in front of a chair, standing inside a hoop on the floor, leaping over a rolled towel, and travelling around a chair (seen from above).

Element	How a prop can change it
Body	A prop changes your shape. Holding a stick makes straight, angular lines. Holding fabric makes soft, curved shapes.
Space	A prop marks a place or a pathway. A rope on the floor can be a curved path to follow.
Time	A light scarf floats down slowly. Your movement may slow down to match it.
Energy	A heavy blanket needs strong energy to drag. A feather needs light, gentle energy.
Relationship	You can be in front of, inside, over, under, around, near or far from the prop.

Every element of dance can change when you add a prop.

Safety with props

Use soft, light props: scarves, towels, pillowcases, paper, a hoop.
No plastic bags over heads, no cords around the neck, and nothing sharp or breakable.
Only use a chair that is sturdy and does not roll. Check with a grown-up before stepping or leaning on furniture, and never stand on a chair with wheels.
Leave lots of space around you when you swing or toss a prop.

Worked example

Example: Let's choose a prop for an idea

Kiara wants to make a dance about a winter storm turning into a calm, snowy morning. She has a white pillowcase, a wooden spoon and a long, light scarf. Which prop fits best, and how could she use it?

Think about the idea. A storm is wild and swirling. A calm morning is quiet and still.
Think about each prop. The spoon is small and stiff: it makes sharp, small movements. The pillowcase is soft but short. The long, light scarf can swirl, whip and then float down slowly.
Choose: the scarf. It can show both parts of the idea.
Storm part: she spins and whips the scarf in big circles over her head with strong, sudden energy, travelling in a zigzag pathway. The scarf is an extension of her arm.
Calm part: she lets the scarf float down with light, sustained energy, then lays it on the floor like a blanket of snow and curls up beside it at a low level. Now the scarf is a symbol of fresh snow.

The scarf fits best because it can be a wild extension of the body for the storm and a symbol of quiet snow at the end. Her relationship to it changes too: first it is above her, then she is beside it on the floor.

Worked example

Example: Let's analyse how a prop communicates

Watch this short dance description: A dancer drags a heavy blanket slowly across the floor. Then she lets it go, stands tall and steps over it, walking away with light, quick steps. What message might it give, and how?

Energy: dragging the blanket uses strong, sustained energy. It looks hard, like carrying a heavy load.
Time: at first the movement is slow. At the end it is quick.
Relationship: at first the dancer is attached to the blanket. Then she steps over it and travels far from it.
Symbol: the blanket could stand for a worry or a problem.

A possible message: letting go of a worry. The change in energy (heavy to light), time (slow to quick) and relationship (attached, then over and far away) helps the audience understand it. Other interpretations are fine if they are supported by what the dancer did.

Just for fun

Q: What did the chair say to the dancer who leaned on it all through rehearsal?

A: "Don't worry, I've got your back!"

Hands-on activity

Prop explorer

You need: one soft prop (a scarf, a towel, a pillowcase or a sheet of newspaper), a sturdy chair that does not roll, paper and a pencil, and a clear space. Safety: clear a space, move breakable things and slippery rugs away, and dance in bare feet or non-slip socks.

Explore your soft prop for one minute. How many ways can you move it? Try toss, wrap, drag, spin, fold and float.
Make four 8-count phrases, one for each way to use a prop: extension, partner, place, symbol.
Choose one idea for a short dance (for example: a seed growing, a secret, a river in spring).
Keep the phrases that fit your idea. Link them with transitions. Use at least two different relationships to the prop (for example, over and around).
Perform it for someone at home. Ask: What do you think the prop stood for?
Write two sentences: My prop was a ___. It helped show ___ because ___.

Your turn

Name four ways a dancer can use a prop.

What does it mean to use a prop as an extension of your body?

Give an example of a prop used as a symbol.

Show three different relationships to a chair (stay safe: no standing on it).

Which element changes when a heavy prop makes you use strong movements?

Why should a choreographer ask, Does the dance say more with the prop than without it?

More practice: warm-up

What is a prop?

Is a hoop lying on the floor useful as a place? Give one idea.

Name two safe, soft props you could find at home.

Which relationship word fits: the dancer leaps across the rolled towel?

A light scarf floats down slowly. Which element of dance does that affect?

More practice: on your own

Choose a prop to show a bird learning to fly. Describe one movement and explain your choice.

A dancer uses a chair as a partner. Describe two actions that show the chair is a partner, not just furniture.

Ravi's prop dance uses a ball, but he only bounces it the whole time. Suggest two other ways to use the ball, using dance words.

How can the same prop stand for two different things in one dance?

Explain how a long piece of fabric held by two dancers changes their relationship.

Challenge

Plan a 3-part prop dance called The Letter. Say what the prop is, how its use changes in each part, and what each part communicates.

A choreographer says, Props can take over a dance. What might she mean? How can you avoid it?

Watch (or imagine) two dancers sharing a long stretchy fabric. One stays still in the middle; the other pulls it while travelling around her in a circle, wrapping her. What might the dance be about? Support your idea with two elements.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Using a long scarf so your arm movement looks bigger is using the prop as ___.

A hoop on the floor that stands for a home is being used as ___.

Which is the safest prop for a dance at home?

A dancer leaps across a rolled-up towel. The relationship is ___.

Why should a prop be chosen carefully?

Dragging a heavy blanket slowly mostly shows which kind of energy?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: In Grade 6 Dance, students incorporate props and materials into dance pieces they create (A1.1) and analyse, using dance vocabulary, how the elements of dance are used and how they help communicate messages and ideas (A2.2).

How to help at home:

Help your child find two or three safe, soft props (scarves, towels, pillowcases, newspaper) and clear a space.
Be the audience. Before your child explains, say what you think the prop stood for and why.
Ask, "What would change if you danced this without the prop?" This helps your child check that the prop adds meaning.

Safety: no plastic bags, cords or anything around the neck; no standing on chairs, especially chairs with wheels; leave space when swinging a prop.

Common difficulties:

The prop takes over (lots of twirling, little meaning). Ask for one clear use for each part of the dance.
Explanations without dance words. Prompt with the five elements: "Which energy? Which relationship to the prop?"
Only one use of the prop. Challenge your child to use it in at least two of the four ways (extension, partner, place, symbol).