Dance Lesson Plan High School: Create and Teach a Dance

This free dance lesson plan helps Grade 9 students learn rhythm, coordination, and cooperation while creating and teaching a group dance. Students practice structured movement, analyze music patterns, and work together to demonstrate a routine they can explain clearly to others.

Overview

Students experience dance as both a physical activity and a communication skill. They learn basic step patterns, identify musical timing, and collaborate to build a short routine. The lesson culminates in students teaching their dance to peers and explaining how the movements match the rhythm and structure of the music.

Subject Connections

Physical education is the primary focus as students develop coordination, balance, and movement control. English Language Arts supports the lesson when students write and explain dance instructions. Technology may be used to review recorded performances, while mathematics appears when students count beats and recognize repeating patterns.

Learning Goals

• Maintain rhythm and timing with music
• Perform a short dance sequence with accuracy
• Break a movement sequence into teachable steps
• Work cooperatively in a group performance
• Explain how movement matches musical structure

Materials

• Open gym or large classroom space
• Music player and speakers
• Several songs with clear steady beats
• Paper and pencils
• Optional video recording device

Preparation

• Select 2–3 appropriate songs with strong rhythm
• Clear a safe movement space
• Prepare simple step demonstration examples
• Arrange students into groups of 3–5

Teaching Procedure

Each session fits a standard class period of 45–50 minutes.

Session 1 – Rhythm and Basic Movement

1. The teacher demonstrates walking, clapping, and stepping to a steady beat while students mirror the movements and practice keeping time.
2. Activity: Beat counting drill. The teacher plays music and models counting aloud to eight using speakers and open floor space. Students clap, step, and repeat the count pattern while moving across the floor. Students demonstrate accurate counting by completing two full movement cycles in time with the music.
3. The teacher introduces simple step combinations. Students practice forward, backward, and turning movements and record the sequence order in their notebooks.

Session 2 – Learning and Analyzing a Dance Pattern

1. The teacher teaches a short class dance sequence and pauses to explain timing changes. Students repeat until they can perform the sequence continuously.
2. Students work in small groups to identify where the music repeats. Each group writes the count pattern and movement order on paper.
3. The class performs the sequence together while one group leads and demonstrates.

Session 3 – Choreographing a Routine

1. Activity: Group choreography. The teacher instructs groups to create a 30–60 second routine using any learned steps and paper for planning. Students physically rehearse movements, assign positions, and produce a written step list showing the order of movements.
2. The teacher circulates to help groups adjust spacing and safety. Students revise movements to avoid collisions and improve timing.
3. Groups perform a rehearsal and receive peer feedback recorded on a simple checklist.

Session 4 – Teaching and Performance

1. Each group demonstrates its routine to the class. Students watching record two observations about timing and clarity.
2. Activity: Student teaching. The presenting group teaches its dance by demonstrating one step at a time, guiding classmates through the movements using open space and music. Students successfully perform the routine together and show understanding by completing the sequence without prompts.
3. The teacher leads a closing discussion on how dance improves fitness, confidence, and cooperation. Students write a short reflection describing what they learned about rhythm and teamwork.

Assessment

• Accuracy of rhythm during practice
• Written movement sequence
• Group participation and cooperation
• Ability to teach and perform a routine
• Student reflection

Differentiation

• Allow simplified movements for students needing lower intensity
• Provide visual demonstrations instead of verbal directions when helpful
• Offer leadership roles such as counting beats or guiding spacing
• Permit seated or upper-body rhythmic movement when necessary

Grade Adaptation

Grade 9 students design and teach a short choreographed sequence. For Grade 8 students, reduce routine length and provide a prepared step list to modify. For Grade 10 students, require synchronized formations and a written explanation connecting movement choices to musical structure.

Extension Ideas

• Record performances and analyze improvements
• Create a themed dance such as cultural or historical style
• Develop a warm-up routine for future classes