This lesson plan relates to the Leaping and Running Dances from Fin Amour.
Learning Objectives/Goals
Introduce students to the locomotor movement of Leaping in a fun, creative way.
Materials Needed
A large open room, a long, low piece of fabric or prop to place on the floor and one that is a little taller, Drum or music
Introduction
Class goals and objectives, space boundaries
Warm-Up
What is a leap? A leap is defined as traveling through the air with both feet off the ground at the same time, by taking off from one foot and landing on the other. Imagine there are puddles on the ground. Have students practice leaping over them starting with one foot and landing on the other. Now try using the other foot as the take off foot.
Investigate
Have students line up in one corner of the room and practice running one at a time to the other corner. Then place a jump rope, or pool noodle or something similar on the ground, this might resemble an imaginary river or stream. Have the students line up and run again, but leap over the "stream".
Create
What are ways that the leap could look special or different? Adding arms? Adding a bent leg? Adding a twist of the spine? Looking a different direction? Ask students to pick some new ways to leap over the "stream" each time they do it. Choose some fun music or drumming to accompany the leaping activity.
Reflect
Ask students what they find exciting about leaping? What is challenging? What else could they leap over? Any ideas?
Extension to the Lesson
Create a leaping pattern with 3 different ways to leap and put it to music.
Follow Up Resources
Dance To Learn Lessons
