Course Description

(ONLINE RESOURCE for School Teachers)


In Teaching Dance for Understanding, your Grade 3-4 students will discover the Elements of Dance time and energy, 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 a dance jigsaw activity. Students will create dance moves then modify them using the elements of dance time and energy.

Lesson 4 dives deeply into the creative process with more Creative Exploration. Students explore a variety of FMS by responding to different genres of music.

In Lesson 5, focusing on 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 a Dance Performance to the song "Better When I'm Dancing" by Meghan Trainor.

In Lesson 6 students will showcase their learning by integrating their movement sequence into a large Dance Performance!

This resource includes the following material to help you lead your Grade 3s and Grade 4s 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

    • Time and Energy Word Wall

    • All Elements Word Wall

    • TDfU Unit Planning Template

    • Evaluation Rubric (Assessment Tool)

    • Active Participation Check-bric (Assessment Tool)

  • Lesson 1

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 1

    • Teacher Tool - Music Mapping

    • Shake It Off (Video)

    • Shake It Off Choreography Notes

    • Dark Horse (Video)

    • Dark Horse Choreography Notes

    • Tsunami (Video)

    • Tsunami Choreography Notes

  • Lesson 2

    • Tutorial Video-Lesson 2

    • Material- Circuit Cards (Time and Energy)

    • Teacher Tool - Capturing Student Moves

  • Lesson 3

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 3

    • Material - Elements of Dance Cards (Time)

    • Material - Elements of Dance Cards (Energy)

    • Material - FMS Cards (Large)

    • Worksheet - Elements of Dance (Time and Energy)

    • Worksheet - Reflection

  • Lesson 4

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 4

    • Teacher Tool - Song Ideas and Elements

  • Lesson 5

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 5

    • Material - Dance Formula Cards

    • Material - Elements of Dance Cards (Small)

    • Material - FMS Cards (Small)

  • Lesson 6

    • Tutorial Video - Lesson 6

    • Better When I'm Dancing (Tutorial Video)

    • Better When I'm Dancing Choreography Notes

    • Worksheet - Self Reflection

    • 24K Magic Choreography Notes

    • 24K Magic (Video)