March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. Incorporating Women’s History Month into your elementary school dance class provides a fun and engaging way to teach students about influential women in the arts, culture, and history while promoting movement and creativity. This week-long lesson plan is designed for kindergarten through 5th-grade students, with 45-minute class sessions each day, culminating in a final performance at the end of the week.
Day 1: Introducing Women’s History Through Dance
Objective:
Introduce students to Women’s History Month and highlight influential women in dance and the performing arts.
Warm-Up (10 minutes):
- Start with a simple stretching routine.
- Play music by a female artist (e.g., Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, or Alicia Keys) while guiding students through stretches.
- Discuss the music artist and what their contributions to the music world may have been.
Discussion and Introduction (10 minutes):
- Explain what Women’s History Month is.
- Introduce notable women in dance history, such as:
- Martha Graham (modern dance pioneer)
- Debbie Allen (dancer, choreographer, and educator)
- Janet Collins (the first Black prima ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera, known for breaking barriers in classical ballet)
Skill Development (15 minutes):
- Teach a short dance sequence inspired by a specific style from one of the women mentioned (e.g., modern dance for Martha Graham).
Reflection (5 minutes):
- Ask students what they learned about the women discussed and how dance can tell stories.
Day 2: Women in Global Dance
Objective:
Explore different cultural dance styles led or influenced by women.
Warm-Up (10 minutes):
- Lead a warm-up using rhythmic clapping and body percussion.
- Play music inspired by global dance traditions, such as samba (Brazil), flamenco (Spain), or traditional African rhythms.
Cultural Dance Exploration (20 minutes):
- Teach movements inspired by one cultural dance style:
- Samba (highlighting Brazilian women’s role in Carnival dances)
- Flamenco (highlight women performers in Spain)
- West African dance (recognize women’s role in community storytelling through dance)
Discussion (10 minutes):
- Share information about a female cultural dance icon or choreographer, such as Katherine Dunham, who studied African and Caribbean dance forms.
Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes):
- End with a calming stretch while asking students to describe what they liked about today’s lesson.
Day 3: Choreograph Like a Trailblazer
Objective:
Encourage creativity through choreography inspired by historical women in dance.
Warm-Up (10 minutes):
- Lead a warm-up using dance games like “Freeze Dance,” playing music by female artists.
Choreography Challenge (25 minutes):
- Divide the class into small groups.
- Assign each group a female dance pioneer to draw inspiration from (Martha Graham, Misty Copeland, etc.).
- Encourage them to create an 8-count movement sequence as a team.
Showcase and Feedback (10 minutes):
- Each group presents their sequence to the class.
- Provide constructive feedback and celebrate their creativity.
Day 4: Expressing Stories Through Dance
Objective:
Explore how dance can be used to tell stories about women in history.
Warm-Up (10 minutes):
- Lead a stretch routine to music from a female composer (e.g., Florence Price).
Storytelling Through Dance (20 minutes):
- Share the story of an influential woman in history, such as:
- Harriet Tubman (activist and leader of the Underground Railroad)
- Frida Kahlo (Mexican artist known for self-expression through her paintings)
- Amelia Earhart (pioneering aviator)
- Demonstrate how movements can represent parts of the story (e.g., strong, determined steps to represent Harriet Tubman’s journey).
Creative Movement (10 minutes):
- Let students create their own dance movements to tell part of a story about one of these women.
Cool Down and Discussion (5 minutes):
- Discuss how movement can communicate powerful messages.
Day 5: Culminating Performance and Celebration
Objective:
Showcase what students have learned and celebrate the achievements of women in history through dance.
Warm-Up (10 minutes):
- Lead a final warm-up using movements from the week’s lessons.
Dress Rehearsal (10 minutes):
- Run through the choreography and storytelling pieces created earlier in the week.
Culminating Performance (20 minutes):
- Invite other classes, parents, or teachers to watch the performance.
- Each group presents their 8-count choreography and storytelling dance piece.
Celebration and Reflection (5 minutes):
- Hand out certificates of participation.
- Reflect on what the students learned about Women’s History Month and the importance of women in dance and culture.
- Encourage students to share their favorite part of the week.
Additional Culminating Activity Ideas:
- Dance Showcase Poster Project: Have students create posters highlighting the women they learned about and display them at the performance.
- “Thank You, Trailblazers” Letters: Ask students to write letters of appreciation to one of the women they learned about, expressing what inspired them.
Materials Needed:
- Music by female artists and composers
- Access to YouTube or Spotify for global dance music
- Space to perform (school gym or auditorium)
- Certificates of participation
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the week, students will have:
- Learned about influential women in dance and global culture.
- Developed creativity and teamwork through group choreography.
- Gained a deeper appreciation for the role of women in history and storytelling through movement.
Expanding the Learning Beyond the Dance Floor
Teaching Women’s History Month through dance is just one way to help students connect with history, movement, and storytelling. If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate dance into your lesson plans, check out The Nutcracker Season is Here: A Resource Guide for creative ways to teach classical ballet history. For teachers who want to inspire confidence in young dancers, Affirmations for Preschool Dancers: Building Confidence and Joy from an Early Age and Affirmations for Dancers: The Power of Positive Thinking provide positive reinforcement strategies that can help students build self-esteem through movement.
Additionally, if you’re looking for ways to celebrate Black history through dance, Celebrating Black History Through Dance: Honoring the Legacy of African American Choreographers is a great resource for exploring the contributions of Black artists to the world of dance. You can also check out Majorette Dance and HBCU Culture: A Legacy of Excellence to introduce students to the rich history of HBCU dance teams and their impact on dance culture today.
By weaving history, culture, and movement together, dance educators can create engaging and impactful lessons that extend beyond the studio, helping students see dance as a powerful tool for storytelling, self-expression, and honoring the trailblazers who came before them.
Happy Dancing,
Taylor B.
