Grade Level: K-5
Duration: 5 days (45-minute sessions)
Objective: Students will explore holiday traditions from various cultures through dance, culminating in a final project showcasing different holiday-inspired dance movements.
Supplies
- World map or globe
- Speakers for music
- Nutcracker-themed coloring book (link to resource)
- Fabric scarves, ribbons, or streamers
- Cultural props (optional, if available: maracas, small bells, etc.)
- Journals/notebooks for exit tickets
GA State Dance Standards
- DCR.1: Demonstrate an understanding of dance as a way to create and communicate meaning.
- DA.K-5.PR.1: Participate in dance learning activities and explore the role of dance in different cultures.
- DA.K-5.RE.1: Analyze and interpret dance in terms of the elements of dance and cultural/historical context.
- DA.K-5.CN.1: Recognize connections between dance and other content areas, including social studies, geography, and cultural traditions.
Lesson Overview
Day 1: Introduction to Holidays Around the World
Day 2: Exploring Movement – Diwali and India
Day 3: Exploring Movement – Hanukkah and Israel
Day 4: Exploring Movement – Christmas (Nutcracker)
Day 5: Final Project Preparation & Presentation
Day 1: Introduction to Holidays Around the World
Objective: Introduce students to the idea of exploring holidays through dance.
- Warm-Up (10 min)
Lead students in gentle stretching and breathing exercises to warm up. Discuss the theme of “celebration” and ask students if they celebrate any holidays at home. - Lesson (25 min)
- Introduce the concept of holidays around the world and locate key countries on a world map.
- Show short video clips or images of holiday celebrations in different cultures.
- Activity – Explore Movement (10 min)
- Ask students to think about movements that feel “festive” or “celebratory.”
- Have them create simple movements inspired by “celebration,” like clapping, jumping, or spinning in joy.
- Exit Ticket
In journals, students write or draw a holiday they celebrate and one movement that represents celebration to them.
Day 2: Diwali Dance from India
Objective: Explore movements inspired by Diwali, the Festival of Lights.
- Warm-Up (10 min)
Stretch and do hand movements, focusing on finger and wrist articulation. Discuss “light” and ask students what movements make them think of light. - Lesson (25 min)
- Share a brief overview of Diwali, showing images of Diwali celebrations.
- Play traditional Indian music and discuss the culture’s significance of light and celebration.
- Activity – Diwali-Inspired Dance (10 min)
- With scarves or ribbons, guide students to move their arms in flowing motions to represent lights and fireworks.
- Encourage circular, expressive movements, inspired by the lights of Diwali.
- Exit Ticket
In journals, students draw a movement they created or felt represented Diwali.
Day 3: Hanukkah and Israeli Dance
Objective: Introduce Hanukkah and explore Israeli folk dance.
- Warm-Up (10 min)
Begin with gentle stretching and footwork drills. Ask students to think about circular movements. - Lesson (25 min)
- Introduce Hanukkah, showing images and discussing its traditions.
- Teach a simple circle dance inspired by Israeli folk dance, symbolizing unity and tradition.
- Activity – Circle Dance (10 min)
- Instruct students to hold hands in a circle (or imagine holding hands) and practice stepping side-to-side or creating patterns with their feet.
- Discuss the idea of community and coming together during holidays.
- Exit Ticket
Have students write or draw one thing they learned about Hanukkah or their favorite dance movement of the day.
Day 4: Christmas and the Nutcracker Ballet
Objective: Explore the Christmas tradition through the Nutcracker Ballet.
- Warm-Up (10 min)
Do a gentle stretch focusing on arm and leg movements, like lifting arms overhead and balancing on one foot. - Lesson (25 min)
- Share a short overview of The Nutcracker ballet, its story, and its significance in Christmas traditions.
- Play a clip from The Nutcracker and let students see some ballet-inspired movements.
- Activity – Nutcracker Dance (10 min)
- Teach a few basic ballet-inspired movements (like plies, twirls, or balances) that the students can use in a “Nutcracker” dance.
- Pass out Nutcracker-themed coloring sheets from the Nutcracker Coloring Book to encourage artistic engagement with the theme.
- Exit Ticket
Students draw or describe a movement inspired by The Nutcracker and note how it felt to perform it.
Day 5: Final Project Presentation and Celebration
Objective: Showcase a short dance inspired by the holiday traditions explored during the week.
- Warm-Up (5 min)
Quick full-body stretch to prepare for the final project presentations. - Lesson (10 min)
Briefly review each of the holiday dances from the week, discussing key movements from each culture. - Activity – Final Project (20 min)
- Divide the class into small groups, and each group selects a holiday they enjoyed to create a simple dance.
- Allow time for practice and provide light guidance as needed.
- Presentation (10 min)
Each group presents their holiday-inspired dance, combining movements and music from the week’s lessons. - Exit Ticket
In journals, students write or draw their favorite part of the week and one thing they learned about holiday dances from another culture.
Resources for Additional Exploration
- Nutcracker Coloring Book: A great resource for younger students to engage with holiday themes.
- World Music and Dance Videos: Supplement each lesson with short videos or music clips to enhance understanding of each culture’s celebration.
This five-day lesson plan immerses students in the holiday traditions of various cultures, encouraging them to embrace diversity through dance. Each day’s activities are designed to build a foundation in cultural appreciation while allowing students to express creativity and joy through movement.
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B
