Students will review in brief Native American history and elements of traditional Native American dance. Students will identify elements of traditional Native American culture and formal Modern/Contemporary dance aesthetics as they blend in Native Modern Dance, also referred to as Indigenous Contemporary Dance. This lesson is part two of a three-unit series designed to scaffold with each other. If the teacher wishes to provide the complete multi-unit lesson, please see lessons titled:Part 1: Learning about Native American Culture through DancePart 2: Primitivism and Identity in Early Modern Dance

Students will explore aspects of Native American history and identify essential elements of traditional Native American dance. Students will identify aesthetic and cultural elements of traditional Native American dance through readings and embodied learning.

Virginia Roots is a series produced by Blue Ridge PBS in collaboration with the VDOE and is designed to help music teachers incorporate Appalachian traditional music into the music curruiculum.

Becky Hill is a percussive dancer with extensive training and teaching experience, and she anchors this program while sharing the ways that Appalachian dancers are participants in the music and not just the audience.