How to Plan a Cross-Curricular Dance Lesson

When I taught in the school system, cross-curricular lessons were some of my favorite lessons to teach. They allowed me to bridge the gap between movement and academics in a way that helped all students, especially kinesthetic learners grasp new concepts with excitement and confidence.

My favorite lesson of all time was the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom lesson I taught every year to my kindergarteners. We danced through letter recognition, explored uppercase and lowercase letters with levels and shapes, and practiced letter sounds through rhythm and repetition. I would time the lesson for when their classroom teachers were already reading the book, and together we emphasized the same content through different modalities. Seeing the light bulbs go off for my movers, those kids who learn best with their whole body, was always the best part.

Cross-curricular dance lessons don’t just make content more engaging, they prove that dance can be a powerful tool for teaching core subjects. Whether you’re teaching in a public school, private studio, or homeschool setting, here’s how you can plan a meaningful and standards-aligned cross-curricular dance experience.

What Is a Cross-Curricular Dance Lesson?

A cross-curricular dance lesson is one that blends movement with another subject area such as literacy, science, math, social studies, or even art. The goal is to deepen student understanding of a concept by allowing them to experience it through their bodies.

For example, instead of just reading about the water cycle, students can become the cycle evaporating, condensing, and precipitating through movement. Instead of only reciting shapes, they can use their bodies to form angles, symmetry, and patterns.

Cross-curricular lessons also support curriculum standards from multiple disciplines. Dance teachers can align their lessons with both the National Core Arts Standards and academic learning objectives, helping administrators see the academic value of your class.

Why Cross-Curricular Lessons Matter

In today’s schools, time is limited and every subject is expected to support overall student achievement. By integrating dance with academic content, you not only make your class more impactful—you also advocate for the arts.

Here’s why cross-curricular lessons are so effective:

They make abstract concepts concrete. A student might struggle to understand subtraction on paper, but when they physically “take away” steps or movements, it clicks.
They activate multiple intelligences. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles are all engaged.
They promote retention. Movement creates muscle memory, which strengthens academic recall.
They validate dance as a core subject. Dance is not just performance—it’s a vehicle for learning, critical thinking, and self-expression.

I’ve also found that classroom teachers appreciate the collaboration. It opens their eyes to how much we can teach through dance—from science to social-emotional learning—and helps build stronger relationships between the arts and academic departments.

Steps to Plan a Cross-Curricular Dance Lesson

Whether you’re new to this or looking to deepen your approach, here’s a step-by-step method to plan an effective cross-curricular dance lesson:

1. Start With the Classroom Concept

Choose an academic topic the students are already working on. This could be:

The alphabet (for early childhood)
Animal habitats
Life cycles
Poetry or storytelling
Geometry or symmetry

Collaborate with classroom teachers to time your lesson for maximum impact.

2. Connect It to Dance Elements

Think about how movement can represent the concept. Use elements from the Elements of Dance (Body, Space, Time, Energy) and choreographic structures like:

Levels (low, medium, high)
Pathways (straight, curved, zigzag)
Shapes (angular, twisted, curved)
Dynamics (sharp vs. smooth)
Canon or mirroring

3. Build the Lesson Structure

A well-rounded lesson includes:

Warm-Up: Introduce the theme with simple movements.
Exploration/Guided Improvisation: Let students interpret the concept through their own movement choices.
Choreography or Composition: Create a sequence using learned movements.
Reflection/Assessment: Ask students to explain or write about what they learned.

4. Assess Understanding

Assessment doesn’t have to mean tests. Try these instead:

Student explanations of their movement choices
Peer feedback circles
Exit tickets (written or drawn)
Journals or short discussions

Sample Cross-Curricular Lesson Ideas

Here are a few examples of dance lessons that integrate other subjects:

📚 Literacy: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Dance through the alphabet! Use levels for capital vs. lowercase letters and tempo changes to emphasize different letter sounds. This supports early literacy and reinforces phonics skills.

🌍 Social Studies: Mapping Journeys

Use pathways to recreate migration routes or explore directional concepts like North, South, East, and West.

🔬 Science: Water Cycle Dance

Students become water particles traveling through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Use slow movements for rising vapor and quick drops for rain.

➗ Math: Symmetry and Shapes

Create duets or small groups where students form symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes. Explore angles using body lines and use counting patterns to structure phrases.

For even more lesson plan ideas, check out my article on Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Through Dance, which ties in both cultural education and choreography.

Tips for a Successful Cross-Curricular Lesson

Plan with intention. Don’t try to force a connection—make sure it supports real learning in both subjects.
Keep instructions age-appropriate. Use language and movement tasks that match student developmental levels.
Collaborate with classroom teachers. You’ll learn what they’re covering and how your lesson can support their goals.
Be flexible. Movement might look messy at times, but it’s part of the process.
Celebrate every connection. Even small “aha” moments can make a big difference.

Conclusion

Cross-curricular dance lessons are a powerful way to support student learning while showcasing the academic value of dance education. They give students more ways to engage with content, honor different learning styles, and bring joy back into the classroom. Whether you’re teaching in a school, studio, or homeschool setting, you can use movement to reinforce the lessons that matter most.

Free Sample Lesson Plan

Title: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom – Alphabet Dance Adventure
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Time: 30 minutes

Objective:

Students will identify letters and letter sounds through movement, using spatial awareness and body levels to distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters.