- Definition
Pattern form" in dance means arranging movements in a specific structure, like a repeating chorus in a song, to express a feeling or idea rather than telling a story.
A dance that goes 'jump, spin, jump, spin' is using an AB pattern form.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A pattern form in dance is like a repeating pattern you make with beads on a string, like red-blue-red-blue.
Ask your child: Can you make a clap-stomp pattern?
Common mix-up: Kids may think all dances tell a story, like a ballet. A pattern form uses repeating movements to show a feeling or idea instead.
Examples
- A dance that goes 'clap, stomp, clap' is using an ABA pattern form.
- One dancer performs a movement phrase and the group answers with a related movement phrase, creating a call-and-response pattern.
pattern form is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
