Lesson Plan
Choreo Explorers Lesson Plan
Students will explore various movements and music to create and perform their own short dance sequences, fostering creativity, coordination, and confidence.
This lesson promotes gross motor development, self-expression, and teamwork. By creating personal choreography, students build confidence and learn to appreciate diverse movements.
Audience
Kindergarten Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Guided movement exploration leading to creative choreography.
Materials
Open Classroom Space, Speaker or Music Player, Kindergarten Dance Music Playlist, Movement Idea Cards, Dance Reflection Worksheet, and Colorful Scarves or Ribbons
Prep
Prepare Space & Materials
5 minutes
- Clear an open area for movement
- Set up the speaker or music player
- Queue up the Kindergarten Dance Music Playlist
- Print and cut out the Movement Idea Cards
- Print copies of the Dance Reflection Worksheet
- Distribute colorful scarves or ribbons if available
Step 1
Warm-Up Routine
5 minutes
- Invite students to stand in a circle
- Play a gentle intro track from the Kindergarten Dance Music Playlist
- Lead simple stretches: reach high, touch toes, twist gently
- Encourage students to move lightly in place to the beat
Step 2
Explore Movement Ideas
10 minutes
- Hand each student a Movement Idea Card
- Demonstrate one or two example movements (e.g., jump like a frog, twirl softly)
- Allow students to practice their card’s movement with scarves or ribbons
- Circulate and praise creative variations
Step 3
Choreography Creation
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups of 3–4
- In each group, students share their movement ideas
- Guide them to order 3–5 movements into a short sequence
- Play a fun track and let groups rehearse their sequence
Step 4
Practice & Performance
10 minutes
- Invite each group to perform their choreography for the class
- Encourage peers to clap and cheer between performances
- Offer positive feedback and highlight creative elements
Step 5
Reflect & Cool Down
5 minutes
- Distribute the Dance Reflection Worksheet
- Prompt students to draw their favorite movement and write or dictate one feeling word
- Lead a gentle cool-down: slow arm circles, deep breaths
- Congratulate everyone on their creative dances!
Slide Deck
Choreo Explorers
Let’s explore movement & music to create our own dance sequences!
Welcome, everyone! Introduce today’s adventure: we’ll become Choreo Explorers, using music and movement to create our own dances. Show excitement and encourage participation.
Our Objective
- Explore fun movements
- Create short dance sequences
- Build creativity, coordination, and confidence
Read the objective aloud. Ask: “Why do you think dancing is fun?” Invite a couple of responses.
What We’ll Use
- Open classroom space
- Speaker or music player
- Kindergarten Dance Music Playlist
- Movement Idea Cards
- Colorful scarves or ribbons
- Dance Reflection Worksheet
Quickly point to each item as you name it. Ensure all materials are visible.
Warm-Up (5 min)
- Stand in a circle
- Play a gentle intro track
- Reach high, touch toes, twist gently
- Move lightly in place to the beat
Lead students into a circle. Play a gentle intro track. Guide stretches step by step, modeling each one.
Explore Movement Ideas (10 min)
- Each student gets a Movement Idea Card
- I’ll show examples (e.g., jump like a frog, twirl softly)
- Practice with scarves or ribbons
- I’ll circulate and praise your creative moves
Hand out one Movement Idea Card per student. Demonstrate 1–2 examples. Encourage creativity and use of scarves.
Create Your Choreography (15 min)
- Form groups of 3–4
- Share your movement ideas
- Choose and order 3–5 moves into a sequence
- Rehearse your sequence to a fun track
Explain group formation and remind students to listen to each other’s ideas. Play an upbeat track for practice.
Practice & Performance (10 min)
- Groups perform their choreography
- Class claps and cheers after each dance
- I’ll give positive feedback and shout out creative elements
Invite each group up front. Encourage clapping and cheering. Highlight inventive steps.
Reflect & Cool Down (5 min)
- Hand out Dance Reflection Worksheet
- Draw your favorite movement and say or write one feeling word
- Slow arm circles and deep breaths
- Celebrate everyone’s creativity!
Distribute reflection worksheets. Guide students as they draw and share one feeling word. Then lead a calm cool-down.
Great Job, Choreo Explorers!
Give yourselves a big round of applause!
Keep dancing and exploring every day.
Congratulate the class on their creativity and teamwork. Encourage them to share what they enjoyed most.
Activity
Movement Idea Cards
Print and cut along the lines. Place cards in a container for students to draw and explore new movements!
| Card | Movement Prompt | Picture Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jump like a frog | A smiling green frog hopping |
| 2 | Spin like a top | A colorful spinning toy top |
| 3 | Fly like a bird | A bird flapping its wings |
| 4 | Waddle like a penguin | A waddling penguin on ice |
| 5 | Stretch tall like a tree | A tall tree reaching for the sky |
| 6 | Bounce like a ball | A bright bouncing rubber ball |
| 7 | Tiptoe like a mouse | A quiet little gray mouse |
| 8 | Stomp like an elephant | A big elephant stamping feet |
| 9 | Twirl like a leaf | A leaf swirling in the wind |
| 10 | Sneak like a cat | A sneaky cat creeping |
| 11 | March like a soldier | A soldier marching in line |
| 12 | Wiggle like a worm | A wiggly worm on the ground |
Worksheet
Dance Reflection Worksheet
Name: _______________________ Date: ___________
1. Draw Your Favorite Movement
Draw a picture of the dance move you liked best today.
2. How Did You Feel?
Write or tell your teacher one word that describes how you felt while dancing.
3. What Music Did You Like?
Circle or write the name of the song you enjoyed most from the Kindergarten Dance Music Playlist.
4. One Thing I Want to Try Next Time
What new movement or idea would you like to explore in our next dance?
5. How Did You Help a Friend?
Tell or draw how you cheered on or helped a classmate today.
Great job, Choreo Explorers! Keep dancing and sharing your moves every day.
Warm Up
Dance Warm-Up
Time: 5 minutes
1. Circle Wave (1 min)
- Have students stand in a circle.
- Wave to a neighbor and say “Hello!” together.
- Take one big deep breath in and out as a group.
2. Star & Ball Stretch (1 min)
- Reach arms out and up to form a big “star.”
- Then bend knees and wrap arms in, tucking into a “ball.”
- Repeat star → ball 5 times, moving with the beat.
3. Animal Moves (2 min)
- Jump like a frog (30 sec)
- Stomp like an elephant (30 sec)
- Tiptoe like a mouse (30 sec)
- Spin like a top (30 sec)
- Encourage big, playful movements!
4. Wiggle & Freeze (1 min)
- Play a fun track from the Kindergarten Dance Music Playlist.
- Wiggle your body to the music when it plays.
- Freeze in place as soon as the music stops.
- Repeat 2–3 times to get ready for our choreography creation!
Cool Down
Dance Cool-Down
Time: 5 minutes
1. Gentle Arm Circles (1 min)
- Have students stand or sit tall.
- Inhale as they lift arms out to the sides and up overhead.
- Exhale as they circle arms down and back to their sides.
- Repeat slowly 5 times, matching movement to their breath.
2. Shoulder Rolls (1 min)
- Inhale and lift shoulders up toward ears.
- Exhale and roll shoulders back and down.
- Perform 5 rolls, then switch direction for 5 more.
3. Deep Breathing (1 min)
- Model taking a big breath in through the nose.
- Exhale slowly through the mouth with a gentle “whoosh.”
- Repeat 3–4 times, encouraging calm and stillness.
4. Reflection Share (1 min)
- Invite students to sit in a circle.
- Pass around a soft object (stuffed animal or ribbon).
- When it’s their turn, each child shares one word about how they feel after dancing.
5. Listening Rest (1 min)
- Play a soft, slow track from the Kindergarten Dance Music Playlist.
- Ask students to close eyes or soften gaze.
- Encourage quiet listening and stillness until the music ends.
Great job today, Choreo Explorers! Take a big stretch and carry this calm into the rest of your day.