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Seeds

  • Lesson Plan Creator: Lynne Larson
  • Grades: Kindergarten, Grade 1
  • Subjects: Science, Math, P.E.
  • Part of Class: Creative Movement
  • National/State Fine Arts Standards: Create, Perform/Present

This is a short lesson plan using the lifecycle of a seed to explore body part movements, levels and time.

Learning Objectives/Goals

Students will create movement using the inspiration of a lifecycle of a seed.  In the lesson, the element of time, body part isolations, levels in space and counting forward and backwards as well as subtracting will be used.

Materials Needed

Small space, drum

Introduction

State goals and class expectations, space boundaries

Warm-Up

What shape is a seed?  Round, pointed, small, long?  Have students make different shapes of seeds.  Make the shape of a seed of your choice very low on the ground.

Investigate

Give the students 8 drum beats to grow into their plant, tree, bush or flower.  Then have the students reverse or rewind and take 8 drum beats to come back down into their original seed shape. Make sure to use all the drum beats to grow or shrink. Talk to the students about using all their body parts to grow from the ground, to the middle space to the high space.  Could they use their elbows? Heads? Hands? Backs? Knees? Feet? How can they show the roots, leaves, buds, twisted branches, etc.? 

Create

Try the 8 count version again with all the new ideas.  Then ask students if they could do the same movement if 2 drum beats were taken away.  How many drum beats would there be? 6!  Do the same with 4, then 2, then 1.  

Reflect

Ask students which length of time they liked to move with better, 8 or 6 or 4 or 2 or 1.  Some will like the slower movement, some will like the faster movement. 

Extension to the Lesson

Try the same thing with other life cycle ideas, a pumpkin, a frog, a chicken, etc.

Follow Up Resources

Dance to Learn Video Lessons



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What People are Saying

The diversity of the dancers really spoke to my students! It was great to see boys and girls dancing, and different races. The high level of engagement was so refreshing and got students excited about thecontent.
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!