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Groove to the Beat: Create Your 8-Count Dance

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Lesson Plan

Groove to the Beat

Students in K–12 will collaborate in grade-appropriate groups to design and perform 8-count dance routines, developing rhythm, creativity, and teamwork through scaffolded, tiered challenges.

Differentiated across K–12, this lesson builds motor skills, musicality, collaboration, and self-expression at each developmental level, ensuring all students engage meaningfully even with a substitute teacher.

Audience

K–12 Students

Time

45–60 mins

Approach

Scaffolded, tiered dance creation tasks

Materials

Music player, Playful music track, Open space for dancing, Teacher-Provided Simple Moves List, Rhythm Composition Guide for Middle Schoolers, and Choreography Planning Template for High School Students

Prep

Pre-Class Setup

15 mins

  • Print and place one Teacher-Provided Simple Moves List, Rhythm Composition Guide for Middle Schoolers, and Choreography Planning Template for High School Students at each grade-band table.
  • Write group assignments on the board: K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12.
  • Test the music player, adjust volume, and queue the playful music track.
  • Clear the dance area of obstacles; set chairs at perimeter for observers.
  • Prepare a visible timer or stopwatch and a bell/hand signal for time warnings.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and keep a copy of these instructions for reference.

Step 1

1. Opening & Attendance

5 mins

  • Teacher (smiling): “Good morning, everyone! I’m your substitute teacher, [Your Name]. Today we’ll have fun creating and performing 8-count dance routines!”
  • Call attendance: “Let’s take attendance now—Alice?” (check roster)
  • Teacher: “Here’s our schedule for today, written on the board:
    1. Warm-Up (5 min)
    2. Demonstration (10 min)
    3. Group Activity (20 min)
    4. Group Performances (8 min)
    5. Closure & Cool-Down (5 min)
      Any questions before we begin?”
  • On signal (bell or hand raise), transition to warm-up.

Step 2

2. Warm-Up

5 mins

  • Teacher: “Let’s loosen up before we dance. I’ll count from 1 to 8—follow my lead!”
  • Demonstrate and lead, counting each beat:
    • Beats 1–2: March in place
    • Beats 3–4: Reach arms up and down
    • Beats 5–6: Hop like a frog
    • Beats 7–8: Shake out your limbs
  • Teacher: “Great job, team! Did you feel the beat? Ready for the demonstration?”
  • Ring bell or use hand signal to clear space.

Step 3

3. Demonstration

10 mins

  • Teacher stands center front:
    • For K–2 & 3–5: “Watch me count 1, 2, 3...8, and follow this phrase: step-touch (1-2), clap (3-4), step-touch (5-6), clap (7-8).” Demonstrate slowly twice.
    • Teacher: “Your turn—who wants to try?” Invite one or two volunteers, offer praise.
    • For Grades 6–8 & 9–12: “Now, here’s a challenge: step forward (1), kick (2), turn arms on counts 3–4, wave (5–6), and pose (7–8).” Show at performance speed.
    • Invite older volunteer; affirm effort (“Excellent wave!”).
  • Teacher: “Next, you’ll create your own 8-count phrases in groups. Let’s get ready.”
  • Cue 1-minute warning for transition.

Step 4

4. Group Activity

20 mins

  • Teacher: “Please move to your grade-band tables: K–2, 3–5, 6–8, or 9–12.”
  • Distribute materials as students settle.
  • K–2:
    Teacher: “Use this simple moves list to pick 4 or 5 moves—then let’s count them out loud to make an 8-count dance.”
  • Grades 3–5:
    Teacher: “Brainstorm 3–4 moves on paper. Count each beat as you practice together.”
  • Grades 6–8:
    Teacher: “Open your Rhythm Composition Guide for Middle Schoolers. Identify strong beats vs. weak beats and build a pattern.”
  • Grades 9–12:
    Teacher: “Grab your Choreography Planning Template for High School Students and plan formations, transitions, and dynamics.”
  • Circulate, prompting and counting:
    • “You’ve got 10 minutes—what’s your final move?”
    • Count aloud with K–2 and 3–5 groups if they drift off beat.
    • Suggest transitions for older groups.
  • Give a 5-minute warning by ringing the bell and calling out: “Five minutes left!”.

Step 5

5. Group Performance

8 mins

  • Teacher: “Okay, groups—let’s show off our routines! K–2, you’re first.”
  • Before each: announce group “Next up: Grades 6–8” and press play. Step back to observe.
  • After each:
    Teacher: “Who heard the 8 counts? Raise your hand!”
    Teacher: “Let’s give them a big round of applause. I loved your spin on count 5!”
  • Keep transitions brisk: cue next group immediately.

Step 6

6. Closure & Cool-Down

5 mins

  • Teacher: “Gather in
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