Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tinikling - Philippine Bamboo Dance

For Teachers 4th - 12th
What is Tinikling? How is this word pronounced? Is it really a dance? Where did it originate? Is there a story about the origin of this dance? Begin this dance lesson by answering these questions. Then use the video to teach the three...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Rhythm to Teach Patterns and Directions

For Teachers K - 4th
Introduce young learners to line dancing. Here are some simple movement patterns to teach them. First teach, repeat, and repeat again without music. Then when they have a pretty good grasp of the movement patterns, add music and practice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tango

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the music of Buenos Aires as they hear and then dance the Tango. They practice basic Tango rhythm, learn to sing the song, "Any Turkey can Tango," then practice a few Tango-riffic dance steps with a partner....
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Braiding Rhythms: The Role of Bell Patterns in West African and Afro-Caribbean Music

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Africans transported to the Caribbean as part of the transatlantic slave trade brought with them a rich tradition of music and dance. Four lessons teach young musicians the rumba clave rhythm, cascara rhythm, and the 6/8 bell patterns...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heritage: Line Dance is a Pattern!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Line dancing is the repeating of a pattern of steps, done to music. Teach youngsters how to line dance and they won't feel so awkward when they grow up. Let them experiment with creating their own patterns and teaching their classmates....
Lesson Plan
PE Central

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Dance

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Erin go bragh! Enliven your St. Patrick's Day celebration by teaching your class members some of the combinations found in traditional Irish step dancing.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surfin' USA Lummi Stick Routine

For Teachers K - 4th
"Let's go surfin' now, everybody's learning how, come on and safari with me." One of the Beach Boys more famous songs that is bound to get your class up and moving. This dance has basic dance steps and the added dimension of using Lummi...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrating Halloween With the Purple People Eaters

For Teachers K - 4th
Get youngsters moving by teaching them some basic dance moves. This dance can be done in a circle, a line, or scattered around the gym. There are four movement combinations that are taught to the song "Purple People Eater" by Sheb...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

March Madness

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Get those boys dancing! Here's a dance activity that is choreographed around the use of a basketball. Teach them this line dance and see how they do. Watch the provided video yourself, or better yet, use the video to teach this dance....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with Dance

For Teachers 4th - 11th
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by teaching your class how to do an Irish jig. This type of dance is very fast. Break it all down and teach each section of the dance thoroughly. There are plenty of hops, kicks, toe touches, and stomps in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cool Line

For Teachers K - 3rd
This dance activity focuses on lots of arm movements. Arm circles, raise-the-roof, swinging arms, and clapping are the main arm movements. There is movement stepping right and stepping left as well as steps forward and steps backward. It...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Land is Your Land Shaker Routine

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Shake it up! Give each dancer two hand-held shakers of any kind. If your class doesn't have any shakers, do a project and make your own. Small containers with lids, some rice or dried beans, and glue or tape to seal the lids shut. Teach...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Hamsterdance

For Teachers K - 4th
It's unbelievable that there really is a dance that goes with a song called "The Hamsterdance!" This is not a lesson plan per se, but rather steps to the dance. They include head bobs, slide steps, thigh slaps, and clapping. Short dances...