Autumn Jazz Moves Lesson Plan
TEACHER GUIDE
Autumn Jazz Moves
Performance & Movement Lesson Plan
60 Minutes
Ages 9-10 (Achievers)
Objective
"Develop core jazz dance skills including coordination, rhythm, and expressive movement while exploring seasonal themes of change and energy."
Materials
- Music player & Playlist
- Open dance space
- Discussion Guide
- Reflection Worksheet
Lesson Sequence
10 min
Introduction & Warm-up
- Jazz Talk: Briefly define jazz dance (energy, rhythm, individual flair). Discuss how the "mood" of jazz matches the crisp, energetic change of autumn.
- Autumn Visualization: Ask students how leaves move (twirling, fluttering, dropping suddenly) or how wind feels (gusty, swirling).
- Physical Prep: Lead a 5-minute dynamic warm-up: head rolls, shoulder isolations, gentle spinal twists, and calf stretches to prep for jumps.
35 min
Main Activity: Seasonal Routine
Teach a 32-count jazz combination incorporating "Autumn Imagery":
- Count 1-8: "The Wind Gust" Sharp jazz walks in a circle with high knees and flowing arms.
- Count 9-16: "Falling Leaves" Jazz squares with a "ripple" arm movement, ending in a low contraction.
- Count 17-24: "Crisp Snap" Pivot turns followed by sharp finger snaps to simulate the "crunch" of leaves.
- Count 25-32: "Free Flight" 8 counts of improvisation where students move like a leaf caught in a gale.
- Rehearse: Practice in sections, then perform with upbeat jazz music.
10 min
Cool-down & Reflection
- Slowing Down: Fluid, slow movements like "swaying trees" to bring heart rates down. Floor stretches for hamstrings and back.
- The Huddle: Use the Discussion Guide to facilitate a group conversation about how the movements felt compared to the autumn theme.
- Worksheet Time: Hand out the Reflection Worksheet for individual quiet processing.
5 min
Closure
Summarize the day: "Today we used our bodies to tell the story of the season." Challenge students to notice movement in nature on their walk home.
Pro-Tip for Achievers (Ages 9-10)
At this age, students love "individual flair." When teaching the "Free Flight" section, emphasize that there are no wrong moves—only their own unique seasonal expression!
Autumn Jazz Discussion Guide
Autumn Jazz Discussion
Facilitator's Guiding Prompts
Group Talk
Use these guided prompts to help students bridge the gap between their physical movements and the seasonal themes they explored. Encourage open-ended answers and "showing" movements as they explain.
QUESTION 1
What did you enjoy most about the jazz dance routine?
Encourage students to think about specific movements (e.g., the sharp snaps or the flowing improvisations) or parts of the routine they found fun or challenging.
Teacher Notes / Student Observations
QUESTION 2
How did the autumn theme influence your dance movements?
Discuss how elements like falling leaves or wind can be represented through dance. Ask: "Did your body feel heavy like a wet leaf or light like a breeze?"
Teacher Notes / Student Observations
QUESTION 3
What other seasonal themes could be expressed through dance?
Invite students to brainstorm other seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer) and how they might be represented. Think about temperature, weather patterns, and nature's cycle.
Teacher Notes / Student Observations
Autumn Jazz Moves • Discussion Facilitation Guide
