8th Grade Dance Lesson Plan

Topic: Movement Awareness

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to demonstrate body awareness and space awareness through dance.

Materials

• Music on a portable player or phone
• Space large enough for students to move freely
• Marker and paper for each student

Warm-up

• Have students stand in a circle, hold hands and close their eyes.
• Lead the students in a gentle stretch, focusing on stretching the arms, torso and legs.
• After the stretch, have the students take a few deep breaths and focus on their body and the space around them.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the basic dance moves (e.g. side step, cross-over, grapevine). Demonstrate each move and have students copy you.
• Emphasize body awareness and space awareness, encouraging students to be aware of their body position and the space around them.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into groups and provide each pair with a dance move to practice (e.g. the side step).
• Guide students as they practice the move, offering feedback and corrections as needed.

Independent Practice

• Have students work on creating their own dance, incorporating the moves they have learned.
• Encourage students to be creative and have fun with their dance.

Closure

• Have students share their dances with the class.
• Review the moves that were learned during the lesson.

Assessment

• Observe students during the dance and provide feedback.