Course Description

(ONLINE RESOURCE for School Teachers)


In Teaching Dance for Understanding, your Grade 1-2 students will discover the Elements of Dance body and space, practice fundamental movement skills, increase their confidence and participate in physical activity through a fun and energetic dance experience!

In Lesson 1, your class will participate in a Playful Dance Experience, where they will get to learn new dance moves, refine their movements and have fun with dance!

Lesson 2 focuses on Dance Appreciation. Students will participate in a circuit that encourages them to create their own dance moves.

In Lesson 3, your students will Develop Connections and practice Creative Exploration through dance. Students will generate movements as they respond to different songs with varying rhythms and beats.

Lesson 4 is all about Skill Refinement. Students will create a short movement sequence and will practice the execution of the Fundamental Movement Skills within the sequence as they prepare to perform the dance with the class.

In Lesson 5 students will have an opportunity to showcase their learning by integrating their creative moves into a large Dance Performance!

Lesson 6 is all about celebrating their (and your) achievements! You will finish off the unit by leading your students in a Dance Party.

This resource includes the following material to help you lead your Grade 1s and Grade 2s in an upbeat and engaging dance unit:

  • A 6-Lessons Dance Unit based on the TDfU Model
  • Printable Material for Dance Activities
  • Choreography Notes
  • Dance Tutorial Videos
  • Student Worksheets
  • Teacher Tools
  • Inquiry-Based Learning Prompts
  • Assessment Rubrics*

*General assessment tools are provided as a reference. Educators should modify the assessment tools to reflect the specific curriculum expectations and standards in their area.

This course is also part of an Online Resource Bundle. Click the link to view the full bundle details.

CEO/Founder

Melanie Levenberg

Melanie Levenberg, M.Ed, Kids Fitness Expert, International Speaker, Author, TEDx Presenter, PRO Trainer and canfitpro’s 2022 Fitness Professional of the Year. As the Founder of PL3Y International, her programs have gained global accolades for boosting mental health and getting over 3.5 million students active through dance, yoga and play. She coaches fitness professionals how to build their business getting kids active in schools and recreation centres.

Course curriculum

  • Unit Overview

    • Unit Outline - Lesson Plans 1 - 6

    • Tutorial Video - Unit Overview + Tools

    • All Elements Word Wall

    • Body and Space Word Wall

    • TDfU Unit Planning Template

    • Evaluation Rubric (Assessment Tool)

    • Active Participation Check-bric (Assessment Tool)

  • Lesson 1

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 1

    • Jumpstart Choreography Notes

    • Jumpstart (Tutorial Video)

    • We No Speak Americano (Tutorial Video)

    • We No Speak Americano Choreography Notes

    • Wipe Out (Tutorial Video)

    • Wipe Out Choreography Notes

    • Tsunami (Tutorial Video)

    • Tsunami Choreography Notes

    • Teacher Tool - Music Mapping

  • Lesson 2

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 2

    • Material - Circuit Cards with Illustrations

    • Teacher Tool - Capturing Student Moves

    • Worksheet - Elements of Dance (Body and Space)

  • Lesson 3

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 3

    • Teacher Tool - Song Ideas and Elements

  • Lesson 4

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 4

    • Material - FMS Cards (Large)

    • Teacher Tool - Creative Dance

    • Better When I'm Dancing (Video)

    • Better When I'm Dancing Choreography Notes

    • Choreography Poster Example- Better When I'm Dancing

  • Lesson 5

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 5

    • Better When I'm Dancing (Video Tutorial)

    • Choreography Poster Example- Better When I'm Dancing

    • Better When I'm Dancing Choreography Notes

    • Worksheet - Better When I'm Dancing Portraits

    • Happy (Follow-Along Video)

    • Happy Choreography Notes

  • Lesson 6

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 6

    • Worksheet - Self Reflection

    • Dark Horse (Tutorial Video)

    • Dark Horse Choreography Notes

    • Shake It Off (Tutorial Video)

    • Shake It Off Choreography Notes

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