PHYSICAL EDUCATION II – MODULE 1 Page 1

Unit 1
RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

This unit is prepared for students to gain knowledge on the importance of rhythmic activities,
the role it plays in the development of nationalism, and the preservation of our cultural heritage.
It will help the students to improve self-expression through dance interpretation, creating and
performing simple movements.
OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, the students are expected to:

1. Learn and understand the terms used in this subject;

2. Discuss and explain the meaning of dance/rhythmic movements and fundamental dance
steps; and
4. show interest and appreciation in the class activities.
DEFINATION

For better understanding of the discussions the follow, the following terms are hereunder
defined:
Rhythm - is a measured motion or flow, characterized basically by
Rhythms - denote as aspect of quality of movement, which is sometimes as a dance. Structured
forms, which start creative rhythmic movements, are sometimes are called rhythm.
Dancing – is a means of expressing one’s emotions through movements disciplined by rhythm.
It is an act of moving rhythmically and expressively to an accompaniment. The word dancing
originated from the German word “damson” which means to stretch. All dancing is basically
made up of stretching and relaxing movements.
Dance – is a series of movements set to music where the emerge organization, structure, and
pattern.

SCOPE OF RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

Is the response of a person displaying his emotional and mental reaction to rhythm. In all
nature, every individual makes rhythm like foot tapping, head movement, body sway while a
music is playing. In other words, the body moves as a physical response or as an expression of
feeling and the fundamentals principles of time, space, and force are observe.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF RHYTHM

To better facilitate the learning of dances and other rhythmic activities, we should
first understand the elements of rhythm, elements of movements space, and the
qualities of movements ( Andin and minas, 2004).

ELEMENTS OF RHYTHM

1. Underlying Beat or pulse Beat. The underlying beat is the steady continuous sound that
heard or felt thought any rhythmical sequence. The constant pulsation is called the pulse beat. It
is steady sound which serves as the constant measure upon which all rhythmic structure or
relationship depends. The underlying beat determines the time signature of a piece of music or
movements.
2. Measure. This refers to the identical grouping of underlying beats.
3. Rhythmic Pattern. This refers to a definite grouping of sounds or beats related to the
underlying beat. It also called the melody pattern because the rhythmic pattern follows the
word or melody.
4. Phrasing. A musical phrase is a group of measure that gives the feeling of unity. The end of
a phrase may suggest a change in direction of movement.
5. Accent. This is the force or emphasis given to any one beat in a series of pulse beats in
a measure.
6. Tempo. This is the rate of speed of the movements, music or accompaniment.
7. Intensity. This is the quality of movements or music. It refers to dynamics or force such
as heavy or light.

FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENTS

There are three basic natural movements: the locomotor, nonlocomotor or axial movements,
and the manipulative skills (Andin and Minas, 2004).
: Locomotor movements - are used to move the body from one to another or to project the body
upward as in jumping and hopping.
Examples of Locomotor Movements
Walking Running Jumping
Hopping skipping Leaping
Galloping Sliding Draw steps
Marching Trotting Stamping
Twirling

: Non-Locomotor movements – are performed without appreciable movements from to place or

movements of the various parts of the body in fixed base.
1. Flexion – bending or shorting of the body part occurring at a joint.
Examples: knees bend, full knees bend, trunk forward bend, arms forward bend, head forward
bend, head sideward bend.
2. Extension – turning, twisting or circling
Examples: head twist, trunk twist

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 3. Arm shoulder circling
Examples: right arm circle forward, left arm circle forward, both arms circling
4. Pendular – swinging / swaying arms forward, backward or sideward
Examples: arms swinging sideward, arms swinging overhead, body swaying right and lift
5. Percussive – striking and hitting; pushing and pulling
Examples: arm strike with closed fist, arm strike with open fist, hit with one hand, hit with both
hands
6. Vibratory – shaking and beating
Examples: shake arms and hands rhythmically, shake hips and shoulders to rhythmic pattern,
vibrate entire body rhythmically.
7. Sustained – s slow, smooth flowing movements with a balance of movement throughout the
entire series.
Example: arms swinging continuously from side to side, arms moving laterally to right and left
side in a continuous rhythmic pattern, arm circle swing continuously.
8. Suspended – a sharp movement fallowed by a series of a slow or prolonged movements until
a speak is reached
Example: both arms circle swing three to four times counterclockwise and stop movement with
arms diagonally forward, upward.

: Manipulative skills – involve object handling that develops manipulative skills like ball skills.
Other object promote other skills like better hand and eye and coordination.
ACTIVITY #1
LOOK FOR 5 LOCOMOTOR SKILLS/MOVEMENTS AND 5 NON-LOCOMOTOR
SKILLS/MOVEMENTS COMBINE IT TO MAKE A DANCE . VIDEO YOURSELF
WHILE PERFORMING THIS AND YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT MUSIC DO YOU
WANT. IT MUST BE MINIMUM OF 2 MINS. AND MAXIMUM OF 3 MINS.

BASIC DANCE POSITION OF ARMS AND FEET

There are five fundamentals feet and arms positions in dance.

POSITION FEET ARMS

1st position Heels close together; toes Both raised forward in a circle
apart with an angle of about in front of chest with the
45 degrees fingertips about an inch apart.
2nd position Astride sideward about a pace Both raised sideward with a
or 1 foot distance graceful curve at shoulder
level
3rd position Heel of one foot close to in- One arm raised sideward as in
step of other foot 2nd position; other arm raised
upward.
4th position One foot in front of the other One arm raised in front as in
of a pace distance 1st position; other arm raised
over head
5th position Heel of front foot close to big Both arms raised over head
toe or rear foot

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BASIC CONCEPTS OF MOVEMENT, MOVEMENT SPACE, AND RHYTHM

Movement is a change of position in space. This is governed by mechanical principles

that limit the ability of an individual to move effectively and efficiently.

FACTORS THAT GOVERN OR AFFECT MOVEMENT:

1. Psychological Factors. Fear, anxiety, and other mental phenomena affect movement
either positively or negatively. All these may affect the performance of an
individual.
2. Physiological Factors. Physical fitness and body built are two main concerns that
affect human movement. Poor muscle development and low fitness level will surely
affect movement.
3. Sociological Factors. These refer to the relationships of the performer with a particular
group and his regard to social conformity and norms.

MOVEMENT SPACE

All movements take place in space. The two kinds of space occupancy are personal space
and general space.
Personal space is the maximum space available to a person in a stationary position. This
includes the space that the person can reach by bending, stretching, and twisting.
General space is the area, which include one or more persons moving space like
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gymnasia, the swimming pool, classrooms, ballroom, plaza, and others.

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Elements of Space

1. Direction. This refers to the movements: forward, backward, upward,

downward, sideways, right and left, diagonals and combinations of all of these.
2. Level. As the body moves in a horizontal plane, it creates a movement identified as
high, medium, middle and low. It may be represented in a relative height while standing,
sitting, lying and kneeling.
3. Range. The maximum reach of an individual or sometimes referred to as personal space
or the size of movement.
4. Pathways or Space Designs. The line or design created in space as on moves,
examples of which is an arm circling (circle design is created) or a line drawn from
running to the first base in softball.
5. Focus. This is referred to as movement is space in relation to an object or a person’s
attention of direction.

DANCE NOTATION SIGNS/SYMBOLS AND NATION

R Right Foot/arm/hand → Move sideward right

L Left Foot/arm/hand ← Move sideward left
X Boy dancer Move sideward right and left
O Girl dancer Make movement is place
Ct. Count Clockwise direction
M Measures Counterclockwise direction
2x Two times  Diagonally forward right
↔ Distance  Diagonally forward left
 Move forward  Diagonally backward right
 Move backward  Diagonally backward left

SIGNS AND SYMBOLS OF MUSIC

NOTES AND REST VALUES

Whole note 4 beats

Quarter note 1 beat

Sixteenth note 4 to 1 beat

Half note 2 beat

Eight Note 2 to 1 beat

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NOTE PYRAMID

Notes Values and Counts

NOTE VALUE COUNTS

1
1 and

1 ah

1234

1-2

1,2
1–23-4

123

(.) A dot is equivalent to half the value of the note.

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 TIME SIGNATURE NOTE PATTERN COUNTS MEASURE
1,2/1-2 2
2/4
1 2/ 1 2 2

1 – 2/ 1 2/ 1 2 3

1-2/ 1 2/ 1 & 2 3

1 – 2, 3 1
3/4
123 1

12&3 1

1 – 2 3/ 1 2 3 2

1234 1
4/4
1–23-4 1

1 -2 3 4/ 1 2 3 4 2

ACTIVITY # 2
TAKE A VIDEO WHILE PERFORMING THE 5 FUNDAMENTAL STEPS WHILE HAVING A
BLIND FOLD. THE BET MUST BE 3/4 TIME SIGNATURE. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR HANDS AND
FEET ARE VISIBLE IN THE VIDEO.

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