Students will explore shapes and pathways to create movement inspired by different birds at that inhabit the Great Salt Lake.
Learning Objectives/Goals
Demonstrate the shape of different bird beaks and how they move through space with creative movement. Creation of patterns, recall movement sequences, use images as inspiration for movement, describe the shape and function of different bird beaks.
Materials Needed
Open Space, drum, photographs and videos of different birds that live at the Great Salt Lake
Introduction
Establish class goals and expectations. Ask students what they picture in their minds when they think of a bird's beak.
Warm-Up
Spread the students out into the space and create still shapes in response to the following words: curved, straight, wide, narrow, hooked and scooped. Try using the whole body and then just individual body parts to make the shapes. Next, have them try moving
instead of still shapes, using similar words: round, straight, small, wide, hook and scoop. Have students try these movements in different pathways (straight, curved and zig-zag).
Investigate
Discuss the Great Salt Lake and how it is a important nesting and feeding location for many different types of birds. Show some photos of birds that live in the Great Salt Lake region. Examine the different beaks of the birds. What do you notice?
Create
Have each student select a bird and create a shape, a movement and include a pathway to show a movement description of the bird's beak.
Reflect
Perform the movement creations and link together to form a bird beak ballet! Use music for further inspiration or the sounds of birds.
Extension to the Lesson
This same idea could be done with other animals that live on or near the Great Salt Lake. Examining different ways of swimming, flying, walking, etc.
Follow-up Resources
Great Salt Lake Bird Refuge
