Blog 13: Lesson 2 Reflection

1.What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

I’m most proud that I was able to convey all the information that I needed to in a timely matter and that my presentation went so smooth.

2. a. What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

I would give myself a P.

b. Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.

I met all the requirements, but I feel that my activity could be improved.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?

The layout of my powerpoint allowed my presentation to go really smoothly.

4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?

I would’ve talked slower, although I made time I feel that I was explaining a lot of new information to my audience too quickly.

5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?

My second answer will be that dancers should train in multiple genres of dance.

Blog 12: Mentorship 10 Hours Check

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

Perfect Pointe School of Dance, located in Covina

2.   Who is your contact?

Belle Maturo, Studio Director

3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)?

172 Hours and 50 Minutes.

4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.

I have taken several styles of dance, like ballet, jazz, modern and character, and also have taught several classes.

Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?

I watched several documentary films relating to dance. The films were about various genres of dance and different methods of teaching and learning a certain style of dance.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

That there are various styles of dance in just one genre alone and if a particular style doesn’t suit you, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad dancer, it means that the particular style isn’t for you, so you shouldn’t give up. I learned this in both a documentary entitled “Ballerina” about Russian ballerinas and a article in Pointe magazine.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers for your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

I would either talk to an official RAD examiner, because they know what to look for in a dancer and what makes a dancer pass or fail an exam, or I would talk to my Friday ballet teacher because he was in a company and knows ways to add style to your dancing without going over the top and ruining your technique.

Becoming Your Character

A huge part of dance, especially when performing in ballets is being able to portray your character. Dancers are tasked with being able to project a certain character without talking. Not only must they add a certain flair to the character , but use facial expressions as well. This skill to act and successfully dance a character can make or break a lot of dancers. You can't just act the character, in dance you must be the character. Below are videos on how dancers are able to portray their characters and what methods they use. Enjoy :)

The Red Queen- Royal Opera House

Odette- The Australian Ballet

The Importance of Shoes

     Shoes are everything in the world of ballet. They enable dancers to dance. When going to see a ballet production you will most likely see the ballerinas in pointe shoes and admire the beauty of it. But what you don't know is what they are comprised of and what it takes to make them "stage ready".

    Pointe shoes are definitely the most beautiful shoe, however they can also be quite painful. The pointe shoe is made up of five key parts: a shank, which is a piece of wood inserted in the sole of the shoe to provide arch support, a vamp which is the top front part of the shoe and helps keep your foot close to the shank, a toe box, which is the flat top part of the shoe which allows you to stand on your toes an, ribbons and elastic, which help support your ankle when dancing on pointe. If one of these parts isn't functioning properly it could cause severe injury to the dancer. Which is why it is important not only to prepare our shoes properly, but to know when your shoe is no longer supporting you, or "dead". 

     Shoes are not only important for women, but for men also. In the first video the male principal dancer of the Royal Opera House, Edward Watson, says that when he doesn't have the proper shoes on he feels as if he is dancing with someone else's legs.

     The first video also shows the Royal Opera Houses's female principal dancer, Mara Galeazzi, discussing how important her shoes are and how she prepares her shoes.

     Each dancer has a unique way of preparing their shoes and making them stage perfect. So in the second video it shows how several different members of the Australian Ballet prepare their shoes.

   

      Royal Opera House Video:

The Australian Ballet Video:

Enjoy :)

Blog 10: Essential Question

1. Essential Question

Once a topic is chosen, the student will develop a working essential question.  The purpose of the working essential question is to help the student build a strong foundation of research which will allow him or her to create an essential question that encourages depth and rigor in the chosen topic.  An essential question must:

• Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
• Take a stance (It allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
• Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2.  Review the following EQs and

• Tell us if each meets the rule of three.
• Tell why they do or don't.

a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

This EQ does not meet the rule of three because it is not specific enough and it would cause the student to lack “breadth and depth” while doing research.

b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

This EQ does meet the rule of three because it is specific enough to allow the student to focus on a certain aspect, takes a stance and is worded correctly.

c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

This EQ does not meet the rule of three because the format is off.

d.  How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

This EQ does meet the the rule of three because it gives “breadth and depth”, takes a stance, and is formatted correctly.

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.  The senior team will be meeting with students shortly for EQ revision and approval; you are expected to bring your research notebook to that meeting with your EQ draft written inside in pencil.

What is the best way for an aspiring professional dancer to train?

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Reflection

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?

I am proud that I was able to convey as much information as I did, especially without showing any images or video to give examples.

2. Questions to Consider

   a. What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?

I would give myself a P.

   b. Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.

I deserve a P because I met time and covered all of the points for a P that were stated on the contract.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 1?

Bringing a poster helped a lot, it had all the points that I was covering and it helped keep me on track and helped my audience better understand me.

4.  (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?

I would change my activity, I felt that I could’ve been more creative.