Dance Lesson Ideas

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Name of Activity: Simply Move With Me

Purpose of Activity: To practice moving in a variety of ways to a specific beat while following a leader

Suggested Grade Level: 2-5

Recommended music: Celebration by Kool and the Gang

Beginning dance formation: Scattered formation so all can see the leader

Description of Idea

etc.

Variations:

Make up your own movements as you go that fit the developmental levels of your students - younger children will need more practice with clapping the beat and stepping to the beat, while the older children may be ready to add grapevines with a spin, etc. The advantage of this rhythmic activity is that you can repeat a movement until everyone has it, rather than move on to the next 8 counts, as structured dances require.

Assessment Ideas:

Make sure to assess each student during this activity to see which ones cannot perform timed movements regularly. Those are the students that will require much more practice before being required to perform structured dances, such as line dances, folk dances, etc.