Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to bring creativity, joy, and love-inspired themes into your dance classes. Whether you’re teaching in a public school or a private studio, these Valentine’s Day-themed dance class lesson plans are tailored for different age groups and settings. Lesson plans include a warm-up, engaging activities, and a sample playlist to make your class unforgettable.
Personal Note: Why I Love Holiday-Themed Classes
I’ve always loved a good holiday-themed class. As both a student and a teacher, these special lessons break up the mundane routine of everyday life and bring a refreshing energy to the studio. Holidays provide natural markers throughout the year, offering moments to pause, celebrate, and connect. February, in particular, can feel like the start of a long marathon leading up to spring break—a stretch where both teachers and students could use a little pick-me-up. Incorporating a Valentine’s Day theme is the perfect way to create joy and spark creativity during this time of year.
Valentine’s Day Dance Class for Grades K-5 (Public School Setting)
Theme: Celebrate Love and Kindness Through Movement
Duration: One-Day Lesson
Warm-Up: Heart Beats
- Begin with a rhythmic warm-up where students tap different body parts in time with the music (e.g., shoulders, knees, toes).
- Add a call-and-response element by asking students to name things they love as they move.
Creative Movement Activity: Love Letter Shapes
- Assign small groups to spell the word “LOVE” using their bodies.
- Encourage them to work together, using levels, shapes, and teamwork to form each letter.
Sample Playlist
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
- “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
For ideas on creating engaging lessons, check out our Dance Lesson Plans for Black History Month.
Creative Movement Class for Ages 3-5 (Private Studio Setting)
Theme: Dancing Hearts and Cupids
Duration: 30-Minute Class
Warm-Up: Cupid’s Trail
- Place colorful heart shapes around the studio.
- Guide students to jump, hop, and twirl from heart to heart, mimicking Cupid’s playful energy.
- Transition into simple stretches (you can keep your current stretch routine for consistency purposes but add some imagery such as reaching for stars or “painting rainbows of love.”)
Activity: Heart Rainbow Dance
- Provide each student with a colorful scarf or ribbon.
- Encourage them to create “heart rainbows” in the air while moving to the beat.
- Play a freeze dance game using their scarves, adding variety and excitement.
Sample Playlist
- “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman
- “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” by Jewel
- “A Tisket, A Tasket” by Ella Fitzgerald
Elementary Kids
Theme: Love in Action
Duration: Supplementary activity for a studio class, to be included toward the end of the session as a bonus.
Warm-Up: Mirror My Heart
- Pair up students for a mirroring exercise where one leads and the other follows.
- Use prompts like “Create a heart shape with your partner” or “Move like a Cupid shooting an arrow.”
Games
- Cupid’s Freeze Dance:
- Students dance until the music stops, freezing in a love-themed pose (heart, arrow, or flower).
- Treasure Hunt:
- Hide small Valentine’s props around the studio. Students perform short dance sequences before collecting the items.
Sample Playlist
- “Love Shack” by The B-52’s
- “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars
- “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
Middle School Students
Theme: Expressions of Love and Connection
Duration: Supplementary activity for a studio class, to be included toward the end of the session as a bonus.
Warm-Up: Partner Connections
- Begin with paired exercises exploring movements that symbolize connection, such as hand-to-hand gestures or intertwining arms.
- Encourage improvisation based on feelings like excitement or longing.
Activity: Love-Themed Choreography Challenge
- Split the class into small groups.
- Each group creates a short routine inspired by love-related themes, such as hearts, roses, or Cupid’s arrow.
- Share their work with the class for feedback and applause.
Sample Playlist
- “Adore You” by Harry Styles
- “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
- “Someone Like You” by Adele
Interlinking: Inspire your students by sharing the legacy of trailblazers in The Unsung Heroes of Black Dance.
High School Students
Theme: Love Through the Ages
Duration: Supplementary activity for a studio class, to be included toward the end of the session as a bonus.
Warm-Up: Evolution of Dance
- Incorporate movements from various decades (e.g., waltz, swing, disco).
- Connect each style to a Valentine’s theme, such as a romantic waltz or a joyful disco party.
Activity: Emotion in Motion
- Have students choose an emotion related to love (joy, heartbreak, excitement) and create short solos or duets expressing it.
- Discuss how to convey emotions through movement and expression.
Sample Playlist
- “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
- “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Interlinking: Dive deeper into the artistry of dance with our article on Prominent African American Dancers and Choreographers.
Maximize the Magic of Valentine’s Day in Dance Class
These Valentine’s Day-themed dance lesson plans celebrate creativity, connection, and the joy of movement. Whether you’re working with preschoolers or high school students, these activities bring the spirit of Valentine’s Day to life.
For more lesson ideas and insights, explore related articles like Dance Lesson Plans for Black History Month, Prominent African American Dancers and Choreographers, and The Unsung Heroes of Black Dance.
By incorporating these plans into your Valentine’s Day dance class, you’ll create a meaningful and fun experience that your students will love!
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B.
