Grade 6 (Lesson 4a/2015/2016) : The Rhythm of Life (Granada, Spain-EVA LA YERBABUENA)

Objective


Students learn to take their pulse and record the effects of exercise on their heart rate.

Materials

A stopwatch or clock with a second hand

Procedure

• Students learn how to take their pulse (see diagram) with fingers lightly pressed against wrist just under thumb.
• Students time themselves taking their pulse for 15 seconds. Write down your pulse in Chart 1.
• Students will multiply by 4 to calculate their heart rate per minute. Chart 1 is to be completed.
• Students will next run in place for thirty seconds; then repeat the pulse taking procedure outlined above.
• Compare the results. How much faster were the second rates? Older students should be able to calculate the percent increase of heart rate.

Eva La Yerbabuena

Eva was born in 1970. She began to study dance at the age of twelve and in 1998, at the age of 28, she founded her own dance company. She has been a guest artist with the National Ballet of Spain. In 2001 she won Spain’s highest honor in dance, the National Award of Dance.

Eva is considered one of the most important flamenco dancers today. Flamenco dance originated in southern Spain in an area called Andalucia (see map), and has its roots in the music of the Gypsy people who settled in Andalucia in the 15th century. The musical influences include Arab and Jewish music. Although Eva is accompanied by a variety of musicians, early flamenco was either unaccompanied or accompanied with handclapping or the tapping of a stick.

In PULSE: a STOMP Odyssey, Eva was filmed at the Alhambra Fortress in Granada.

Web Links

Related web site with information about Eva la Yerbabuena: www.pulsethemovie.com/spain

Further Study

1. Listen to a recording or video of a heartbeat
2. Students will learn how to listen to their own heartbeats with a stethoscope
3. What musical instruments do you see in this scene?