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Shapes with a Chair

  • Lesson Plan Creator: Linda C. Smith
  • Grades: Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3
  • Subjects: P.E.
  • Part of Class: Creative Movement
  • National/State Fine Arts Standards: Create, Perform/Present, Respond

This lesson plan relates to the Shape Dance from Fin Amour.

Learning Objectives/Goals

Students will explore making a series of shapes with a chair as a design partner.

Materials Needed

A chair, music or drum

Introduction

Class goals and objectives, space boundaries

Warm-Up

Have the students walk around their chair, over their chair, away from their chair and toward their chair.  Use different locomotor movements such as skipping or running, etc.

Investigate

Have students return to their chair and begin to create some frozen shapes using the following words as prompts: Leaning shape, Lifting shape, pushing shape, lying-down shape, twisting shape, sitting shape.

Create

Students will select 3 of the shapes they created and put those into a pattern.  Then decide how to transition from one shape to another.  Slowly? Quickly? Traveling?

Reflect

Put the chair patterns to music and perform in small groups.

Extension to the Lesson

Create a group chair dance, 2 people and 2 chairs, using the same instructions above.

Follow Up Resources

Dance to Learn video lessons

Details


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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!