Dance Genres Lesson Plans

Students share dance moves that reflect their personalities or depict how they are feeling, explore popularity of recreational and competitive social dancing by reading and discussing the article "Follow the Flying Feet," present examples of social dancing, research dance forms performed in class, and reflect on which dance styles they like best.

Students explore the various rhythmic combinations in jazz and blues music. They watch a video segment, apply a mathematical formula to calculate the number of possible rhythmic combinations, and perform a combination of notes and rhythm on a keyboard.

Students understand that dance is influenced by rhythm, tempo, form and dynamics. In this coordinating music and dance lessons students recognize the interaction between music and dance as done by the Balinese.

Fourth graders research the different kinds of dances Texans participate in. They try to dance the dances they have researched.

Learners observe that there are myriad combinations of rhythms to choose from when improvising jazz and blues music, and recognize that while the variations seem infinite, they are in fact finite. They notate a 12 bar blues progression using a different combination of notes and rhythms for each of the 12 bars, and then perform it on a keyboard or virtual piano online.

Young scholars write a presentation of the findings they found in their research of customs and traditions of Japan and Vietnam. In this Japan and Vietnam lesson plan, students analyze photographs, study artifacts, and even write letters to pen pals in these places for research.

First graders explore two-dimensional shapes. Individually, children follow directions to draw shapes. Learners use shaving cream, geoboards, yarn, marshmallows, and toothpicks to create shapes. As a class, 1st graders brainstorm descriptions of each shape, paying particular attention to the number of sides and angles.

Eighth graders compare the culture and events of Eastern North Carolina in the early 1800's to the novel "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle." They conduct Internet research, and write a letter from the character Charlotte to her parents from the Seahawk's next port of call.

First graders create two-dimensional shapes. In this shapes instructional activity, 1st graders learn about different two-dimensional shapes. Students have many hands-on experiences with these shapes including the use of geoboards, shaving cream, yarn, and drawing shapes. This instructional activity also includes an opportunity for assessment of a student's ability to follow directions.

Learners study the continent of Africa. In this geography lesson, students participate in several activities to celebrate the culture of Africa. These activities include playing African musical instruments, telling West African folktales and wearing African-inspired clothing.