There’s something so special about the way a room full of elementary school students transforms when the music starts. One moment they’re squirming on their spots, and the next they’re leaping, twirling, and expressing feelings they didn’t have words for. Early in my teaching career, I realized that if I wanted to help my students move with intention and not just energy, I needed to give them language and structure. That’s when I began teaching the 5 elements of dance.
These five elements—Body, Action, Space, Time, and Energy—are the foundation of all dance. They’re accessible for young learners and provide a strong framework to help students understand what they’re doing when they’re dancing, not just how. Whether you’re a new teacher building your curriculum or a seasoned educator looking for a fresh approach, the 5 elements of dance are the perfect entry point for any K–5 classroom.
Let’s break down each element and look at how they come together in a full lesson you can use right away.
What Are the 5 Elements of Dance?
1. Body – What is moving?
The “body” refers to the dancer’s instrument—the parts of the body we use to create movement. This includes the whole body, isolated parts (like just the hands or feet), and how the body is shaped in space (curved, angular, twisted, etc.).
In a K–5 classroom, I’ll often ask students:
- Can you make a shape with just your arms?
- What happens when you change your level?
- Can you dance with just one foot?
Teaching the body as an element encourages students to explore how movement feels in different parts of their bodies. It also builds body awareness and coordination.
2. Action – What movement is happening?
“Action” is the movement itself. It can be anything from walking, running, and jumping to twisting, shaking, or stillness. In dance, we talk about locomotor movements (traveling) and non-locomotor movements (staying in place).
I love using verbs to teach this element—hop, reach, glide, freeze. We often play games like “Action Charades” to review movement vocabulary and spark creativity.
3. Space – Where is the movement happening?
“Space” helps dancers become aware of their surroundings. It includes direction (forward, backward, sideways), level (high, medium, low), size (big or small), and pathways (straight, curved, zigzag). It also includes relationships with others—whether you’re dancing close together or far apart.
One of my go-to questions is: “If I gave you a piece of chalk, what kind of line would your dance draw on the floor?”
4. Time – When is the movement happening?
“Time” refers to the rhythm and speed of movement. Students explore tempo (fast vs. slow), beat, duration, and timing. This is where musicality begins to blossom. Students start to notice when their movement lines up with the music or when it purposely contrasts.
I often use clapping patterns, body percussion, or rhythmic chants to reinforce this concept. Even young students can learn to count in 8s and begin to choreograph simple routines with timing in mind.
5. Energy – How is the movement happening?
“Energy” gives movement its quality and feeling. Is the movement sharp or smooth? Heavy or light? Bound or free? Energy can show emotion—whether it’s joy, frustration, excitement, or calm.
For young dancers, I’ll compare energy to volume knobs or textures. “Can you dance like a whisper?” or “What does a sticky movement feel like?”
A K–5 Lesson Plan: Exploring the 5 Elements of Dance
Here’s a simple, structured lesson that you can adapt for grades K through 5. I’ve used this format in both public school settings and private studio classes.
Lesson Title: Move with Meaning – Discovering the 5 Elements of Dance
Grade Level: K–5
Length: 40 minutes
Objective: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the 5 elements of dance through guided exploration, structured movement, and performance.
1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Play an upbeat song (instrumentals work great!) and guide students through a full-body warm-up.
Incorporate movements that focus on isolating body parts:
- Wiggle just your fingers
- Stretch your arms high
- Roll your shoulders
- March in place
Call attention to the Body and Action elements as you go.
2. Explore the Elements (15 minutes)
Break down each of the 5 elements using guided prompts.
Body & Action:
- “Make a shape with your whole body.”
- “Can you move like spaghetti? Now like a robot?”
Space:
- “Travel in a zigzag pathway. Now make a small circle.”
- “Show me a low level pose. Now jump to a high level!”
Time:
- Clap a rhythm and have students match it.
- “Dance slowly like you’re underwater. Now quickly like popcorn popping!”
Energy:
- “Can you move like you’re filled with excitement?”
- “Now try a sleepy, soft movement.”
3. Group Activity (10 minutes)
Divide students into small groups (2–4 per group). Give each group an element to start with and have them create a short movement phrase (4–8 counts) that focuses on their assigned element.
Prompt examples:
- Group 1: Create a movement phrase using only curved shapes (Body)
- Group 2: Use 3 different actions and freeze at the end (Action)
- Group 3: Travel from one corner to another using low levels (Space)
- Group 4: Dance to a slow beat, then a fast beat (Time)
- Group 5: Choose an emotion and show it through movement (Energy)
Have groups share out and teach their phrase to the class.
4. Cool Down & Reflection (5–10 minutes)
Guide students through a gentle stretch on the floor. Ask reflection questions like:
- “What was your favorite way to move today?”
- “Which element helped you express yourself the most?”
- “How do you think dancers use these ideas when they perform?”
Optional: Give students a worksheet or drawing prompt like, “Draw a shape you made with your body today” or “Write a word to describe your favorite movement energy.”
Why It Matters
Teaching the 5 elements of dance helps students build vocabulary, deepen their understanding of movement, and create with more intention. It’s more than just a checklist—it’s a way for students to see dance as a language they can speak, explore, and evolve in.
Over time, I’ve watched students who were too shy to move freely become confident choreographers. I’ve seen students who struggle in academic subjects light up when asked to move to a rhythm or create a new pathway. The 5 elements of dance don’t just teach movement—they teach self-expression, problem-solving, and creativity.
If you’re looking for ways to connect dance to core subjects, you might enjoy this article on how to plan a cross-curricular dance lesson, where I share one of my favorite integrated lessons.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a K–5 dance teacher, whether in a public school or private setting, building your lessons around the 5 elements of dance gives your students structure and freedom. It allows for student voice, classroom management, and meaningful artistic development—all in one.
Try it out this week and see how your dancers respond. You might be surprised at how much they already understand once you give them the words and framework to express it.
For more resources, check out:
- What’s the Difference Between Teaching Dance in Public Schools vs. Private Studios?
- Attention Getters for Dance Class: Classroom Management That Actually Works
Let’s keep moving with purpose.
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B.
