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Dancing to Express Emotions

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Lesson Plan

Dancing to Express Emotions

Learn to use dance for emotional expression

In this lesson, students will explore how dance can be used to express emotions and as a form of therapy. This will help them articulate their feelings through movement, promoting emotional awareness and self-regulation.

Audience

1st Grade Students

Time

20 mins

Approach

Learn to use dance for emotional expression

Materials

Music player with selected songs, Open space for dancing, and Printable Emotion Cards

Step 1

Introduction

3 mins

  • Briefly discuss with students how we express emotions (e.g., talking, drawing).
  • Introduce the idea that dance is another way to express emotions and tell them they will be exploring this today.

Step 2

Warm-Up

3 mins

  • Lead students in a simple warm-up routine to get their bodies moving (e.g., stretching, shaking out their arms and legs).
  • Emphasize having fun and feeling the movements.

Step 3

Guided Dance Activity

10 mins

  • Play different selected songs, each representing a different emotion (e.g., happy, sad, angry, calm).
  • Ask students to dance how the music makes them feel.
  • Provide encouragement and positive feedback to all forms of expression.

Step 4

Reflection Discussion

4 mins

  • Gather students in a circle and ask them how dancing made them feel.
  • Use Printable Emotion Cards to help prompt discussion. Ask questions like, 'Which dance made you feel happiest?' and 'How did it feel to dance when the music was slow?'
  • Encourage students to share and listen to each other.

Step 5

Closure

2 mins

  • Summarize the key points: Dance can be a fun and powerful way to express our emotions.
  • Thank students for their participation and encourage them to use dance to express their feelings at home.
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Worksheet

Printable Emotion Cards

Cards representing different emotions to help prompt students during the reflection discussion.




Happy







Sad







Angry







Calm




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Dancing to Express Emotions • Lenny Learning