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Leaping over a stream

  • Lesson Plan Creator: Linda C. Smith
  • Grades: Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2
  • Subjects: P.E.
  • Part of Class: Creative Movement
  • National/State Fine Arts Standards: Create, Respond

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

Details


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What People are Saying

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This activity was valuable because it helped students make connections between dance, rhythm, healthy lifestyles, and expression. The students were impressed by the talent of the dancers and it was motivating to them.
Opportunities for art and expression are so limited at school but so essential and valuable for all students, especially those who struggle to learn through traditional methods. My Kindergarteners have been dancing since you left!
This was so engaging. I looked around the auditorium and every student was watching. Not one person was talking or distracted
This activity is valuable to teachers and students because it gives them a creative outlet. We need movement in the classroom to engage, energize and deepen student learning.
I got great ideas on how to incorporate movement into math and science lessons.
I loved how you made movement and exercise relatable to the students. The dancers were full of energy and there was very little down time so students stayed engaged.
Our children were captivated by the performance. They listened to you and they were learning without knowing. They usually giggle when bodies are shown and talked about. But the way you presented it was so tastefully done, they now do poses and movement around the room and outside. You brokesome barriers and they took that permission and literally ran with it!