Explanation:
What Is Rhythmic Activity?
Stefan is a senior college student studying physical education. As he looks forward to his upcoming graduation, he must choose a final project to demonstrate his learning. With a lifelong background in music and performance, he chooses to create a rhythmic activity suitable for students at his local high school.
Stefan explains that rhythmic activities are usually expressed as synchronized dancing with preplanned movements. Some examples of rhythmic activities are line dancing, classic dances like the waltz, and other popular social
group dances.
Why Are Rhythmic Activities Used?
Stefan meets his roommate for lunch, and the two discuss his final project. When his roommate asks about the purpose of rhythmic activities, Stefan explains that the combinations of sounds and beats along with movements of the body can enable people to:
exercise
physically express themselves and their personalities
break down social barriers by including different levels of learners
promote friendship, community, and fun
History of Rhythmic Activity
Rhythmic activities have been taking place for thousands of years. Rhythmic activities trace back to the Olympics, with sports such as gymnastics that combined movement with the use of rhythm. This created a form of physical expression with strength and ability.
Now, rhythmic activities commonly extend to physical games with elements of song and dance. Some current examples include jump rope games, popular dance workouts, like Zumba, or even the use of noisemakers.
As Stefan continues to research the history of rhythmic activities, he learns that the activities vary largely by culture. This means that groups of people in different parts of the world have formed rhythmic activities to express religion, faith, and beliefs through celebratory dancing, festivities, and other traditions.
Promoting Rhythmic Activities
In an effort to choose the most appropriate rhythmic activity for his project, Stefan first considers his audience. Designing or selecting a rhythmic activity should include the following components of rhythmic activity:
