Curated OER
Swing Your Partner!
This was written for ESOL learners, but could work for any elementary class. Learners read about the American dance style known as Square Dancing. They explore its use in literature, write a friendly letter about it, and then use their...
Curated OER
Appalachia
Students investigate the benefits of dance and participate in dances. In this dance lesson, students investigate a number of dances such as square dancing and clogging that are native to Appalachia. They use math concepts to determine...
Ballet Austin
The History of Modern Dance
The evolution of modern dance, and the dance history of many of the key figures in the development of this uniquely American form, are the focus of a 13-page packet that includes photos of revolutionaries.
Curated OER
Analyzing Two Dances and Making a Dance Map: The Nutcracker
Students discuss dance elements and create a dance map. They choose a dance theme and incorporate movement into their dance maps and choreography. They also experiment with different types of music.
Curated OER
1920s Variety Show
To better understand the cultural achievements of the Harlem Renaissance and become familiar with its major figures, class members examine a painting by Aaron Douglas and a poem by Langston Hughes and compare how the artists develop...
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
Dancing Silhouettes
Students study the art of Keith Haring and attempt to replicate it. In this art lesson, students work on a series of dance lessons where they learn to be a statue in different positions. Students look at Keith Haring pictures, trace...
Curated OER
Swing Your Partner! It's A Virtual Square Dance
Students explore the Wessels Living History Farm website and research how to do a square dance. They read a story, listen to an explanation of barn dances, and participate in various square dances.
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
Larger than Life Line Dance
Young scholars are encouraged to enjoy dance, feel comfortable dancing, and perform a few simple moves to the beat of the music
Curated OER
Retell A Story Through Dance
Students tell stories through dance. In this ballet lesson, students learn pantomime dance skills and examine "The Nutcracker" ballet performances as they examine ballet as storytelling.
Curated OER
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Take a look at this simple, easy line dance. Forward steps, backward steps, jumps, and grapevines. Shake arms, shake hands, and clap! Put this all together and dance to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Mariah Carey. A nice little...
Curated OER
High School Energy Audit
A student-led energy audit of their high school is the focus of this energy instructional activity. They review the cost of energy in their school, find where it is being wasted, and attempt to cut costs by 10%. A worthy instructional...
Curated OER
Grand Canyon Suite
Take a trip to the Grand Canyon! Lesson one explores how Ferde Grofe painted a musical landscape of America when he wrote the Grand Canyon Suite. Learners then examine art that shows the Grand Canyon in lesson two. Finally, lesson three...
US Department of Health and Human Services
Learning Something New: How Does It Feel?
Use song and dance to help your youngsters identify their feelings and embrace learning. Starting with a brainstorming activity, class members talk about learning new things and how this made them feel. After listing to the song, and...
Curated OER
Dance Transitions
Students create a small group dance that addresses free-flowing techniques and transitions for in-class performance. This lesson meets state arts standards and includes rubric for assessment.
Curated OER
Solo Dance Composition
Students conclude the semester with an individual movement study utilizing basic elements of dance and choreography previously covered in class. They will choose from three choreographic prompts presented a few days before giving them...
Curated OER
The Magic School Bus in a Beehive
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students dance the Honey-Bee-Bop to communicate the location of hidden flowers.
Curated OER
Dance Team/ Collaborative Fitness Routines
Students experience the process of creating a "dance team" type routine by following a set procedure.
Curated OER
Isadore Duncan
Who is Isadore Duncan? If you're a teacher of dance, you might be interested in this informative presentation. Biographical, philosophical, and personal information on the life and contributions of this famed dancer are given in an easy...
Nemours KidsHealth
Cold and Flu: Grades 6-8
Wouldn't it be lovely if people were immune from colds and flu? Alas, such is not the case; however, there are things we can do to avoid getting or spreading these pesky health hazards. Middle schoolers read articles that provide them...
Curated OER
Pantomime vs. Abstract Gesture
Students explain dance as a way to create and communicate meaning and demonstrate the difference between pantomiming and abstracting a gesture.
Curated OER
Family Dance Participation Night
Students participate in and practice dances in P.E. which are appropriate for their grade level. They invite parents, grandparents and sibilings to join a family dance participation night where all the participants dance simple, yet fun...
Curated OER
Aerobics/Dance Project
High schoolers create original dances or aerobics routines in groups.