Levels & Shapes

Levels & Shapes
Created by Amy Call
Length of Lesson: 30 minutes
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Geometry:
Standard K.G.5
Model and create shapes from components such as sticks and clay balls.
Reading:
d. Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
Create:
Standard K.D.CR.2
Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli.
Standard K.D.P.2:
Make still and moving body shapes that show lines.
Learning Outcome:
  • By the end of the 30 minute lesson, the Kindergarten students will be able to demonstrate straight, bent, curved and twisted shapes, as well as high, medium and low levels. They will show their understanding by demonstrating each shape and level throughout a combination of sequences.
Materials:
  • Drum
  • Objects, photos, or drawings of straight, bent, twisted and curved shapes.
  • Word strips for walk, jump, hop, slide, high, medium and low.
  • Music “Sun of Jamaica” by Cusco. “Boum tonnerre” by Diblo Dibala & Matchatcha.
  • Speakers.
Experience/Identity:
  • Have the dancers follow you in a line while copying what you are doing. They will follow you while you make high, medium and low levels until they are sitting in front of the objects that represent each shape. This is to get the dancers attention and moving at the start. (Similar to follow the leader.)
  • Explain the rules and expectations for the dancers as well as introduce yourself.
  • Display the objects of the straight, bent, twisted and curved shapes in front of the dancers. Ask the dancers to raise their hand and tell you what shapes they are.
  • Kindergarten students should be learning how to write letters in their classes. Write the letter b, r, c, and t on the board. Talk about the curved edges of the b, c and r, the straight edges of the b and t, the points of the triangle, and the bends of the t. These letters can help us remember how to do our dancing shapes.
  • Ask the dancers if they can identify the shapes that I make with my body.
    • exp. “Can I make a curved shape with my arm?” etc.
Explore/Investigate:
  • Have the dancers find their own space. Tell them to make a shape of their choice on the loud drum beat.
  • Point out some of the dancers that have made a creative shape and have the whole class make that shape. Repeat this until all the shapes have been demonstrated.(You can tell them which shape to do as well.) Then have the dancers make that shape, but on a different level. (Repeat this step until you have covered the high, medium and low level).
  • In between the dancers creating shapes, have them walk, jump, hop, or slide to their next shape. Demonstrate how to do this before having them do it on their own.
  • Divide the class in two groups, one will be with me, the other with the classroom teacher. My group will huddle together and decide on a shape and level to do. When they have decided, they will walk around on their side of the room until I hit the drum loudly. The dancers will make their predetermined shape. The classroom teacher’s group of dancers will determine which shape and level their peers are doing. If the group does not guess it right, have the dancers try again and emphasize that the shape and level should be clear. Repeat the exercise but have the other group do the shape and level and my group guess.
Create/Perform:
  • Lay out the objects for each of the shapes, the word strips for locomotor steps (walk, hop, jump, slide) and levels. Have the dancers pick the order one by one.
  • After they have picked the order, have the dancers spread out and create an interesting shape of their choice. I will call out the sequence that they have created as the dancers following along.
  • Play the song “Sun of Jamaica” by Cusco while they perform their sequence.
Connect/Analyze/Assess:

  • Bring the dancers together and have them sit on the floor. Ask them if they discovered any new shapes? Ask them if they discovered any new levels?
  • Now ask if they know any shapes that are straight and tall, curved and low etc.(ex. a skyscraper is straight on a high level. A bench is bent on medium level. A snake is curved on low level.)

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