Courtney Madison

KIN 447
Fall 2010
Dance Education in the Elementary School
Peer Teaching Lesson
Lesson Theme Element: Breath

Grade Level(s) 1st grade and up

Dance Content Standard

Elements of Dance in the Lesson:
Time:
1) Tempo
2) Durration

Space:
1) Range
2) Levels

Energy/Force:
1) Percussive
2) Breathing rhythm

Equipment:
1) iPod home player Player
2) iPod Provided by the student
Lesson Objectives The student will:
1) Explore how breathing effecs movement
2) Use the force of breathing to create tempo and different durrations of
movement
3) Also use the force of breathing to move at different ranges of movement size
and levels.
Lesson Opening Statement and Warm-Up Ritual
Ok everyone; we are going to experiment with breathing and movement. First, take
one deep, slow breath. Notive how it moves your body. What parts of you body
moved? In which direction?
Lesson Theme:
1) Now take that movement and apply it to other parts of your body. Use your
breathing to help you move your arms, your legs, your hands.
2) Im going to play this slow soothing song to help you keep a slow rhythmic
pace.
3) Now that you have the hang of it try this without breathing along to the
rhythm. Just express the rhytm with your body freely.
4) (After a while of their own freeform experimentation) Now the music is going
to pick up a little. Use quicker and shorter breaths along with the music,
move at this new, quicker pace but still move with your breathing motion.
5) Now that you have the hang of it again, keep moving but let your breathing
be normal.

6) Now let your body completely relax. Just let your limbs, your head, your torso
just colapse!
7) Now were going to turn off the music and let you try it again without the set
rhythm. Be sure that you arent watching anyone else. Just move freely and
allow yourself to let go.
8) What shape or objects have these movements reminded you of? Perhaps a
butterfly? A kite? Everyone try and focus on one of these things and move in
a way that would resemble using the breathing pattern youve developed.
9) What is the difference between being yourself and dancing to your own
breathing and dancing as something else? How does it feel different?
10)
Try something else. You can be another object or just be yourself as
you move.
11)
Next everyone will domonstrate in front of the class in pairs. Do not be
nervous, everyone will have a chance to express themselves. If you would
like music, we will turn it back on or off. Whichever you prefer.
Lesson Closing Statement and Ritual:
Now everyone sit down for a moment and take a few long, deep breaths. Remember
how you felt before we started. How do you feel different? Do you feel more relaxed,
more confident, or more exhilerated?