TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to perform a freestyle dance.
IMPORTANCE
Freestyle dance is important because it allows for individual expression. Dancers are encouraged to create new moves and develop a personal style.
VOCABULARY
Freestyle: a way of dancing where the dancer creates his/her moves in the moment.
When dancing freestyle, here are a few dance moves to remember:
1. Jumping
2. Sliding
3. Shuffling
4. Elbow swinging with a partner
BOOGIE SHOES
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
Music player
“Boogie Shoes” by KC & The Sunshine Band
1 hula-hoop per 3 students
1 fuzzy ball per 3 students
1 short cone per student
1 tall cone per three students
1 bandana per three students
STORYLINE
Today we are going play Boogie Shoes. Your goal is to freestyle dance with the different equipment.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will divide the class into groups of three.
- Before the song begins, spread out with your group. I will pass out a hula-hoop to each group.
- When I say, “GO!” I will start playing the music.
- With your group, begin freestyle dancing with the equipment.
- Be creative with the equipment and remember to share with others in your group.
- When the song ends, we will choose new equipment to use.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Pass out fuzzy balls to each group. Have students creatively pass to each other.
Game 3: Pass out one short cone to each student and one tall cone to each group.
Game 4: Pass out bandanas to each group.
Game 5: Allow groups to choose which equipment they would like to use.
Exit Ticket: Students freestyle dance on their way to line up after class.
TEACHING TIPS
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- Who creates the movements in a freestyle dance?
- Do you like folk dancing or freestyle better?
SOUL TRAIN
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
Music player
“Can't Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Soul Train. Your goal is to freestyle dance as you strut down the Soul Train line.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will divide the class into two lines. Everyone will stand shoulder-to-shoulder while facing each other.
- When I say, “GO!” I will start playing the music.
- The last students standing at the end of each line will strut down the middle while everyone else cheers them on.
- We will choose a new song at the end of each line.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Allow students to choose a partner to dance down the line with.
Game 3: Have students who are waiting imitate the movements of the students dancing down the line.
Game 4: In groups of six, have students circle up. Each student in the group will have 10 seconds to dance in the middle of the circle.
Exit Ticket: Students freestyle dance on their way to line up after class.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Remind students to be creative and silly as they dance down the line.
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- Who creates the movements in a freestyle dance?
- Do you like folk dancing or freestyle better?
FREEZE DANCE
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
Music player
“Freeze Dance” by Kiddie Palooza
STORYLINE
Today we are going to dance to the song “Freeze Dance”. Your goal is to freestyle dance as the music plays and freeze when the music stops.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Before the dance begins, spread out so you are at least an arm’s length away from the student next to you.
- When I say, “GO!” I will start playing the music.
- When the music stops, you must freeze your whole body.
- Resume moving when the music starts again.
- We will begin a new game at the end of the song.
Game 1: Play as indicated above. Jog or run in between freezes.
Game 2: Hop on the right foot; hop on the left foot; hop on two feet in between freezes.
Game 3: Crab walk, leap frog or bear crawl in between freezes.
Exit Ticket: Students freestyle dance on their way to line up after class.
TEACHING TIPS
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- Who creates the movements in a freestyle dance?
- Do you like folk dancing or freestyle better?