Curated OER
Contra Dance
Contra dance was brought to America by French Soldiers after the Revolutionary War. Contra dancing is done in lines, but with partners facing each other. Some moves one partner is moving forward while the other moves backwards. Some...
Curated OER
Dancing in 3's
This dance makes me want to just get up and start moving right now. This dance is done to the song "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins. The lesson includes not only step-by-dance step instructions but also a video. There is a lot of movement in...
Curated OER
Create A Line Dance
Young scholars create their own line dance, which must have a minimum of 4 parts, each part goes to a count of 4. They may select parts from the Create a Line Dance cards to use for their dance, or they may create their own parts.
Curated OER
Dance and Writing
Fourth graders use dance moves to perform narratives. In this dramatic performing lesson, 4th graders use strong and soft movements to show what character's voice is portraying. Students also use movement to show the feelings in the...
Curated OER
Chinese Lion Dance
Students celebrate the Chinese New Year and listen to the story behind the Chinese Lion Dance. In this Chinese New Year lesson, students research the geography and culture of China. Students create puppets, dance the Lion Dance and...
Curated OER
Introducing Maps Through Dance
Students are introduced to the key concepts of maps; direction, pathway/line, shape and symbol. They create the pathways and shapes they have "mapped" out on paper on the floor. They dance along the paths.
Curated OER
Tunes for Bears to Dance to: Vocabulary Strategy
To prepare for a reading of Robert Cormier's Tunes for Bears to Dance to, kids research vocabulary drawn from the novel and share their findings with their groups.
Curated OER
Wildwood Dancing: Anticipation Guide
Themes in Wildwood Dancing, Juliet Marillier's young adult fantasy novel, are the focus of an anticipation guide that asks individuals to agree or disagree with a series of statements.
Curated OER
Irish Dancing: The Walls of Limerick
Students practice their dancing skills. In this Irish dancing activity, students follow the provided instructions to dance with a partner in a group to the tune "The Walls of Limerick."
Teaching Tolerance
Musical Movement Showcase
Young performing artists create a song or choreograph a dance to illustrate a theme in a text they are reading. Step-by-step directions are included.
Curated OER
Spark Line Dance - 5-6-7-8
Students learn a line dance. In this line dance lesson, students practice the indicated steps to perform a line dance to the SPARK CD. (not linked) They use the add on format while performing the dance.
Curated OER
Compass Rose: Dance and Quilt
Fourth graders identify the cardinal directions by listening to a song entitled, "Stand," and by reviewing the lyrics to that song. They notice the cardinal directions that are posted around the classroom. They perform the motions as...
Curated OER
Looking at different cultures and how music from differing cultures changes movements, meaning and mood
Each of the three dance lessons included here will get your class moving. The first lesson allows learners to explore how music and movement differ in meaning depending on cultural context. Lesson two gives them an opportunity to create...
Annenberg Foundation
Native Voices
The Navajo people build their dwellings with the doors facing the rising sun in the east to welcome wealth and fortune. Pupils learn about the traditions of the Navajo people in the first part of a 16-part unit. They explore American...
Museum of Tolerance
Cultural Research Activity
Class members explore cultural diversity through a variety of texts that showcase the importance of traditions. Then, they interview their family members to research their own cultural background and write their findings on quilt pieces....
Curated OER
Aztec Dance
Seventh graders study Aztec dance to learn about their culture and civilization. In this Aztec study lesson plan, 7th graders watch a video of Aztec dancers and describe the dance on an index card. Students visit a website to learn the...
Curated OER
The Chicken Dance
Third graders identify and perform the five main dance movements of the "Chicken Dance" to accordion music.
Curated OER
La Marcha Dance
Fourth graders are presented with a wedding song and dance of another culture. They also make a connection between the beat of a song with various dance movements.
Curated OER
Multicultural Music: Israel
Do a grapevine to the left, lift your hands in the air, and sing out, "Hey!" These are the steps second graders will do when they sing and dance the Israeli folk song, "Achshav.” They will explore the concept of multicultural music and...
Curated OER
Zesty Kicken' Chicken Dance
Students become aware of spatial awareness as they stand in the middle of a hula hoop and perform "The Chicken Dance" to music. During the chorus, they run, hop, gallop, skip into other vacant hoops. Students follow directions given by...
Curated OER
Dance - Kindergarten Moving Safely in Space
Students experience dance and movement. In this kinesthetic lesson, students practice movement of their limbs and joints. They use a hula hoop to identify personal space.
Curated OER
"Orientation to Dance" Dance Lesson Plan
Students learn their rights and responsibilities within the context of the dance class.
Curated OER
Water Cycle Bracelets
Students engage in a activity that investigates the hydrological cycle. They create bracelets with different colored beads that represent parts of the cycle. Students can follow the cycle in the order of the beads. The activity includes...
The New York Times
Writing to Explain: Creating How-To Scripts and Demonstrations
Excuse me, can you give me directions? Scholars examine and practice technical writing to increase their ability to write directions. They participate in discussion, watch videos, and complete an assignment to create their own directions.