UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE

EDUC 330 LESSON PLAN FORMAT

YOUR NAME:
Abigail Kramer

CRN:
1253

LESSON TITLE:
Safari Circle Dance

LESSON SOURCE

DATE:

GRADE FOCUS:
3rd Grade

http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=9070 5/10/16

LENGTH OF
LESSON:
45 minuets
INTEGRATED
AREAS:
Music, dance,
science, social
studies,
mathematics,
language arts

CONTENT STANDARDS AND CONTENT OBJECTIVES

SUBJECT STANDARDS:
1.15 Perform a line dance, a circle dance, and a folk
dance with a partner.
2.6 Define the terms folk dance, line dance, and circle
dance.
5.6 Work in pairs or small groups to achieve an
agreed-upon goal.

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES ADDRESSED:

Musical, kinesthetic, interpersonal, visual

COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE, AND PSYCHOMOTOR OBJECTIVES

(Use your PE Standards and use specific verbs to indicate expected outcomes in each area)
COGNITIVE OBJECTIVES
(What students will know . . .)

AFFECTIVE OBJECTIVES
(Expected student behaviors . . .)

PSYCHOMOTOR OBJECTIVES
(What students will do . . . )

Students will be able to describe

what a circle dance is through
group discussion.

Students will be able to work in a

small group collaboratively to
complete a circle dance.

Students will be able to complete a

circle dance to The Lion Sleeps
Tonight with appropriate
movements.

ASSESSMENT
(Include any rubrics, quizzes, sheets, etc.)
STRATEGY FOR ASSESSMENT (How will you evaluate student progress of each objective?)
Teacher will observe the class and assess the students success of completing and participating in the dance.
Teacher will use group discussion to ensure students understanding of what a circle dance is. Teacher will use
a homework assignment to reinforce the idea of what a circle dance is.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
STRATEGIES TO MEET DIVERSIFIED LEARNERS (English Learners, Students with Special Needs)
The dance steps can be modified for students with special needs. Having them go slower by cutting out some
of the moves may also help. For example, instead of walking back and forth or forward and backward, they
can march in place.
MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, and TECHNOLOGY NEEDED (bring music or similar items you may need for
your lesson presentation)
Song for The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens (this can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=OQlByoPdG6c ), a way to play the song (i.e. a stereo, a radio, or a computer), a room big enough for the
class to dance in a circle formation.

STEPS THROUGH THE LESSON

(Use bulleted statements)
INTO (set the stage; the hook, lesson objectives)
Invite class into the safari. Tell them that today we will
be looking for lions as we quietly search the savannas.
Ask them why would need to be quiet?
Explain that lions are known for sleeping and we dont
want to wake them up from their nap.
Have the students get in a circle by leading them around
the room in a single file line.

RATIONALE (why are you doing this?)

The song that the students will be learning has to do with
lions. This discussion draws in the students interest with
the excitement of going on a safari to see some lions.
Leading them around the room before getting in a circle
will help to warm up the muscles and will help the
teacher keep control of the classroom. Asking what shape

Tell them that we will be learning the proper movement

for the safari in form of dance.
Ask them what shape they have formed (a circle).
Explain that the dance that they are about to learn is
called a circle dance.
THROUGH (instructional input, modeling, checking
for understanding, guided practice)
Lead the students through the steps of the dance slowly.
Repeat the sections at least two times each.
Check to make sure the students are understanding and
getting the dance down.
Once the students seem to have a handle on the dance,
start the music.
Make sure you are giving verbal ques to keep the
students on rhythm.
Dance to the song with them to give them guidance.
Continue practicing until students can do the dance
without you leading them.
THE DANCE:
Intro
1-32 - Stay in place and sway R and back to
the center, then sway L and back to the center with each sway taking 2 counts and holding in
the center for 2 counts - (8 sways)
Part 1
1-8 - Step R to the R (2 counts)
Close L foot next to R (2 counts)
Step R to the R (2 counts)
Close L foot next to R (2 counts)
1-8 - Place palms together and place both
hands to the R side of the head and pretend to
sleep on the words the lion sleeps tonight
1-16 - Repeat both the step close and the
sleeping movements above this time moving L
Part 2
1-4 Lion Hunting put R hand on
forehead and slowly look R (4 counts)
1-4 4 steps backing out of circle
1-4 Lion Hunting put L hand on
forehead and slowly look L (4 counts)
1-4 4 steps into the circle
Part 3
1-8 Waking Up and Stretching Extend
both arms above the head and stretch then take
4 steps in his own space making a small circle
to the R
1-8 Waking Up and Stretching Extend
both arms above the head and stretch then take
4 steps in his own space making a small circle
to the L
BEYOND (independent practice, further research)
Tell the students that the safari is complete now and
discuss what happened.
Ask them who can remember what this type of dance is
called (a circle dance). Ask them why they think it is
called this.
Explain that a circle dance is one that is done in circle
formation.
For homework, have the students research and find a
video of an example of a circle dance.

they have formed draws on previous knowledge of

shapes and welcomes the idea of a dance in circle
formation.
RATIONALE (why are you doing this?)
It is important for the teacher to model the movements
that the students will be doing. Having them follow along
with the teacher will help the students learn the dance
moves. Repeating it will help the students memorize the
moves. Making sure the students have a handle on the
moves before adding the music will assure that the
students dont get lost. Having the teacher continue to
model when the song come on and having the teacher
give verbal ques will also help to assure the students
dont get lost in the routine. Practicing for several days
may be necessary before the students are able to
complete the dance without guidance from the teacher.

RATIONALE (why are you doing this?)

This discussion brings the class back together and allows
the class to review their actions. Reminding them that the
dance is called a circle dance and explaining exactly what
it is help to reinforce that definition. The homework will
further their knowledge on circle dancing and bring the
next class an interesting discussion.