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States of Matter and Dance (part 1)(2025)

  • Lesson Plan Creator: Megan O'Brien
  • Grades: Grade 6
  • Subjects: Science
  • Part of Class: Creative Movement
  • National/State Fine Arts Standards: Create, Respond
  • Tags: Creative Movement

This creative movement lesson designed for 6th grade explores the three states of matter through shapes, movement, and spatial pathways.

Learning Objectives/Goals

Explore the three states of matter through shapes, movement and spatial pathways.

Materials Needed

Drum, music, states of matter signs, tennis balls

Introduction

Set class expectations and goals. Ask for creativity, open-mindedness as well as teamwork for this lesson.

Warm-Up

Tennis ball exercise. Begin by setting guidelines for using tennis balls (i.e. no throwing, no bouncing, keep it still while you are talking, etc.). Give each student 1 tennis ball. The tennis balls will represent the particles of matter. Begin in a large circle, instruct students to slowly walk toward the center of the room, touching their tennis balls close together and stay there frozen. This represents the solid state, packed tightly together with a fixed shape/volume. Next, take 2-3 steps away from each other, enlarging the circle, then walk/weave through one another without touching but remaining close and not letting the circle expand. This represents the liquid state, particles are close together but can move around, taking flow to shape tis container. Now spread students out in the whole movement space (give them 10 drum beats to do traveling jumping jacks) and then have them run through the space not bumping, reaching their tennis ball in every possible direction and level for 10 seconds and then Freeze! This represents the gas state, particles spread far apart, moving rapidly with no definite shape. 

Investigate

Creating a movement pattern based off of the elements of solid, liquid and gas. 1. Solid - Ask students to create 3 different frozen shapes. For example: a frozen shape that is tall, pointy and asymmetrical.; a frozen shape that is low to the ground, small and round; a frozen shape that is medium level, twisted and angular. Now make the movement space a bit smaller and repeat the shapes, again, make the movement space smaller and repeat the shapes. 2. Liquid - Come up with some action words that would demonstrate moving like a liquid. Repeat them in order to make a pattern, students are spread out a bit more than the solid state, but feet are still planted on the floor so the movement stays in place. 3. Gas - Create locomotor actions to move around the space as far apart for each other as possible.

Create

States of Matter Dance Divide students into groups. Ask them to create a dance that has a beginning, middle and end. A solid frozen shape close together (beginning), a liquid section where a group action is done in place (middle), a locomotive movement gas spread out far from one another(end).

Reflect 

Watch each group perform, accompany each group with a different music selection. Use music with no words and different rhythms so that students aren't distracted by popular songs they already know. After each group has performed, have students comment about what they noticed. 

Extension to the Lesson

Part 2 will explore states of matter and how they change thermal energy!

Follow-up Resources

 

    

 

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!