Dance Curriculum Toolkit

Title of Resource: "America" from West Side Story the Musical

 

Target Audience: Educators

 

Description of Resource:  This video is, "America", from the musical, West Side Story.  The choreographer of this musical is Jerome Robbins, who was an absolutely brilliant man.  The plot and storyline of West Side Story is loosely based on Shakespeare's, Romeo and Juliet.  The story is based in 1957 NYC, and is about two gangs in New York City that don't get along.  They hate each other for no reason, similar to gangs today, and are constantly fighting over "territory" that they believe is rightfully theirs.  The Jets are the white, American boy gang made up of mostly dropouts.  The Sharks are the Puerto Rican Gang made up of members who are have difficulties assimilating to American culture.  While these two gangs are fighting each other, one of the Jets members, Tony, falls in love with the younger sister of the Sharks leader, Maria.  The story doesn't end well and unnecessary deaths are caused because un-supported hatred and racist views of others without any substantial evidence. 

 

Appropriateness for High School Students:  The content in this movie is appropriate for high school students.  The performers in the movie are representing the same age group as high school students, creating a very real scenario for students to connect to.  Depending on the class dynamic, the students may or may not experience gangs and gang violence in their everyday life, however, it is very real and a big problem in American that students need to be aware of.  Peer pressure is something that often gets pushed aside as "no big deal" by high school students but it too is very real and happens everyday.  This movie addresses many of the same issues and problems that are still prevalent in American youth's today.  It is important for students to be exposed to artistic expression as is in this musical as well as be able to identify the connections between the musical and real life.  Also, this is relevant to high school students reading Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet,  as there are many parallels that can be drawn between these two stories.

 

Use of Resource in Classroom/Ways to Implement this Resource in my Classroom:  I would implement this video into my curriculum by connecting with the students and having them analyze the similarities and differences between what happens in the movie and what is still true today in American youths.  These topics include: racism, gangs, love, relationships, stereotypes, and American culture/ideals.  Another direction that I could see taking this lesson would be to have students compare and contrast the similarities and differences between, Romeo and Juliet, and, West Side Story.  Romeo and Juliet, is a book that most high school students read as their Shakespeare experience in English class.

 

Strengths of Resource as a Teaching Tool (Purpose, Value, Uniqueness, Positive Aspects):  The purpose of this video being implemented into my curriculum is to expose students American culture and how stereotyping can effect the world around you.  Both of the lesson ideas that I presented above are interdisciplinary lessons that when scaffolded correctly have the potential to be extraordinarily engaging lessons for high school students.  The relationship between Romeo and Juliet, and, West Side Story, is an important connection that if students can identify the similarities and differences between them, they will be reinforcing their understanding of both stories at the same.  Another aspect that is unique about incorporating this video into my classroom is to focus on the Latin(a) culture and discuss the cultural differences of the "Sharks" and the "Jets".  Within those cultural differences, students could explore the different cultural social dances of the Americans versus the Puerto Ricans.

 

Possible Modifications to Resource (Weaknesses, Limitations, Supplemental Resources):  I think that this resource has many benefits in the classroom and has so much relevant content for students to learn and be exposed to however; I do foresee one long-term limitation.  As I imagine my curriculum layout for the year, I am wondering where and how to fit this lesson concept into the curriculum without disrupting my lessons that are all scaffolded in a certain order for a chronological progression.  My other concern is where do I go beyond this lesson?  Would this lesson continue into an exploration of Musical Theater dance?  I do believe that there is a huge value of incorporating this video into the curriculum for students but it will take some adjustments to the overall year to make it work.  Supplemental resources are listed below to aid in a lesson that connects, Romeo and Juliet, and West Side Story together 

 

Resource Citation:

Thru the Stage Door.West side story study guide. Retrieved from http://www.fabulousfox.com/Document%20Uploads/West%20Side%20Story%20Study%20Guide.pdf

 

Teach with movies! lesson plans based on movies and film clips! lesson guide to: West side story. Retrieved from http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/west-side-story.html

 

West side story - america. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/Qy6wo2wpT2k

 

West side story educational study guide. Retrieved from http://www.tuts.com/Images/SeasonShowDocs/WSS_study.pd