Bubble Space Slides Space Bubble Basics
Let's learn to move safely!
My Space Bubble
Imagine a big, invisible bubble around your whole body!
"If I can reach and touch you, we are too close!"
Can You Make Your Bubble...
HUGE?
Stretch out wide!
TINY?
Curl up small!
Shared Space
The whole room is General Space.
"I can travel anywhere, but I must keep my bubble safe!"
Bubble Rules
Use your eyes to see where you are going.
Keep your hands and feet inside your bubble.
Listen for the "STOP" signal!
Space Guard Teacher Guide Space Guard Guide
Lesson 1: Personal & General Space
Pre-K Dance
Learning Goal
Students will identify the difference between their "Personal Space Bubble" and the "General Shared Space" of the classroom to ensure safe movement.
Music Suggestions
Bubble Music: Light, bouncy instrumental (e.g., xylophone or pizzicato strings).
Movement Music: Mid-tempo song with a clear "start/stop" rhythm.
Materials
Bubble Space Slides
Open floor space
A drum or whistle
"My Bubble" Worksheets
Step-by-Step Instruction
1
The Hook (5 mins)
Ask: "Has anyone ever blown a soap bubble? What happens if you touch it?" Explain that today, everyone has an invisible Space Bubble . If someone touches you, your bubble pops!
2
Expanding & Shrinking (10 mins)
Students stand in their own spot (Personal Space). Direct them: "Make your bubble HUGE!" (stretch out). "Make your bubble TINY!" (huddle low). Remind them: If I can touch my neighbor, my bubble is too big!
3
The Traveling Bubble (10 mins)
Explain General Space (the whole floor). Play music. Students walk slowly around the room. Goal: Move through the empty "pockets" of space without letting bubbles touch. Use a drum beat to signal "STOP and FREEZE."
4
Safety Check (5 mins)
Ask: "What do we do if we see another bubble coming towards us?" (Steer away, use eyes). Practice "steering" like a car to avoid collisions.
Teacher Tips & Differentiation
Support
Use hula hoops on the floor to provide a physical "bubble" boundary for students struggling with the abstract concept.
Challenge
Ask students to change their locomotor movement (e.g., march or tiptoe) while keeping their bubble safe.
My Bubble Activity Sheet My Space Bubble
"I move safely in my own space!"
Name:
Date:
Draw YOU inside your giant, invisible bubble!
Use your favorite colors to decorate your bubble.
Safe Eyes
Safe Hands
Safe Feet
Tall and Small Slides Tall and Small Shapes
Exploring High, Middle, and Low!
High Level
Reach Up!
Stretch your fingers to the ceiling. Stand on your tiptoes!
Like a Giraffe 🦒
Can you touch the sky?
Low Level
Can you touch the floor?
Get Small!
Crouch down low. Tummy to the ground!
Like a Snake 🐍
Middle Level
In the Middle!
Bend your knees. Not too high, not too low.
Like a Duck 🦆
Like a Crab 🦀
Let's Level Up!
High
Giant
Middle
Kangaroo
Low
Bug
"Listen for the music to change!"
Level Lab Teacher Guide Level Lab Guide
Lesson 2: Exploring High, Middle, & Low
Pre-K Dance
Learning Goal
Students will demonstrate the ability to move their bodies at three distinct vertical levels (High, Middle, and Low) in response to verbal and visual cues.
Audio Cues
High: High-pitched chime or flute music.
Middle: Mid-range drum beat or guitar.
Low: Low-pitched bass drum or cello.
Imaginative Cues
"Reach for the stars!"
"Walk like a duck."
"Slither like a snake."
"Grow like a flower."
Lesson Flow
1
The Giant & The Bug (5 mins)
Introduce the concept of Levels . Have students make themselves "as tall as a giant" (High) and then "as tiny as a ladybug" (Low). Explain that "Middle" is right where we usually stand!
2
The Growing Seed (10 mins)
Narrative movement: Everyone starts as a tiny seed (Low). Slowly, the sun comes out and we sprout (Middle). Finally, we grow into tall trees with branches reaching for the sun (High). Repeat with a "wind" cue to move levels.
3
Level Command (10 mins)
Use the Tall and Small Slides or a drum. Call out "HIGH," "MIDDLE," or "LOW." Students must jump or drop to that level instantly and hold a still shape.
4
Animal Parade (5 mins)
Students move across the General Space (from Lesson 1) while mimicking an animal at a specific level (e.g., "Be a slithering snake in low space!").
Safety First!
Remind students to land softly on their "quiet feet" when jumping to a high level or dropping to a low level.
Space Check: Remind students that even when moving levels, their "Space Bubble" must never pop!
Animal Levels Worksheet Tall or Small?
"I can move high, middle, or low!"
Name:
Draw a line to match each Animal Friend to the level where they move!
High
Middle
Low
🐍 Snake
🦒 Giraffe
🦆 Duck
🌟 Bonus: Which animal is YOUR favorite to dance like? Circle it!
Pathway Pilots Slides Pathway Pilots
Let's follow the road!
Straight Path
Flat & Smooth
No turns. No bends. Go in one direction!
"Walk like a brave soldier."
I move in a line!
Curvy Path
I move like a wave!
Round & Soft
Twist and turn. Flow like water!
"Move like a wiggly snake."
Zigzag Path
Sharp & Pointy
Switch directions! Sharp turns every time.
"Hop like a grasshopper."
I move in zigs and zags!
Pilot Training!
Can you fly your bubble through the room using a...
Straight Path
OR
Curvy Path
Don't pop your bubble!
Pathway Pilot Teacher Guide Pathway Pilot Guide
Lesson 3: Traveling on Pathways
Pre-K Dance
Learning Goal
Students will explore and demonstrate three types of locomotor pathways: Straight , Curvy , and Zigzag , while maintaining their personal space bubble.
Setup Tips
The Tape Method:
Lay down 3 distinct paths using colored painter's tape on the floor.
Blue: Straight across.
Yellow: Looping curves.
Red: Sharp zigzag angles.
Playlist
Marching Beat
For Straight Paths
Waltzing/Fluid
For Curvy Paths
Plucky/Staccato
For Zigzag Paths
Mission Plan
1
The Road Trip (5 mins)
Gather students. Ask: "If we want to get to the treasure, how can we get there?" Use a finger in the air to draw a straight line, a curvy wave, and a sharp zigzag.
2
Follow the Tape (10 mins)
Divide students into three groups (one for each tape path). Have them walk "on the road" while the music plays. Remind them: Stay on the line and don't pop your neighbor's bubble!
3
Invisible Ink (10 mins)
Challenge: "Now the tape is gone! Can you draw a curvy path with your feet across the empty floor?" Call out a path type and let them "draw" it through the general space.
4
The Maze (5 mins)
Ask students to change their levels (Lesson 2) while following a path (e.g., "Be a low snake on a curvy path!").
Teacher Insight
Observation Point
Are students actually changing direction on zigzags, or just walking in a vague line? Model the sharp "Stop-and-Pivot" movement for them.
Vocabulary
Use words like Angular (Zigzag), Linear (Straight), and Fluid (Curvy) to start building their dance vocabulary.
Pathway Tracing Worksheet Path Tracing
"I can follow the road!"
Name:
Trace each path with your Magic Crayon!
Start Here Straight Path
Start Here Curvy Path
Start Here Zigzag Path
Which path was the trickiest?
Zoom and Zip Slides Fast and Slow
Can you match the speed?
ZOOM! FAST!
Quick feet, shaky hands, and lots of energy!
RABBIT 🐇 ROCKET 🚀
"Go, Go, Go!"
SLOW...
"Slow Motion..."
Stretch every move. Feel the air like honey.
TURTLE 🐢 CLOUD ☁️
Tempo Tracker!
Listen to the music. Is it...
FAST
OR
SLOW
Bonus: The Meltdown
"Can you move as SLOW as a snowman melting in the sun?"
Pro Tip:
Try to move so slowly that nobody can even see you move!
Tempo Time Teacher Guide Tempo Time Guide
Lesson 4: Speed & Tempo Exploration
Pre-K Dance
Learning Goal
Students will differentiate between Fast and Slow tempos, demonstrating the ability to match their movement speed to various auditory and visual cues.
Tempo Playlist
Fast
Pop music, fast drums, "The Flight of the Bumblebee."
Slow
Lullabies, slow piano, ambient nature sounds.
Visual Aids
🐢 Snail/Turtle
🐆 Cheetah/Rabbit
⛄ Melting Snowman
🍿 Popping Corn
Tempo Training
1
The Speed Dial (5 mins)
Pretend you have a "speed dial" on your chest. When the teacher turns it to 10 , move as fast as possible in place. When it's at 1 , move like you're in slow motion!
2
Popcorn vs. Honey (10 mins)
Use imagery. "Move like popcorn popping in a hot pan!" (Fast, jumpy). "Now move like your feet are stuck in a giant bowl of sticky honey!" (Slow, heavy, stretching).
3
The Slow-Mo Race (10 mins)
Challenge students to "race" from one side of the room to the other using their General Space . The catch? The LAST person to reach the finish line wins! They must move continuously, just very slowly.
4
Combo Challenge (5 mins)
Combine pathways (Lesson 3) and tempo. "Can you move on a zigzag path... very slowly?"
Impulse Control
Pre-K students often struggle with moving "Fast" without losing control of their bodies. Remind them: Fast movement still requires a Safe Space Bubble! If they start colliding, bring the tempo back down to slow to reset.
Fast or Slow Sort Worksheet Zoom or Snail?
"I can move fast or slow!"
Name:
Circle the things that move FAST!
Color the things that move SLOW!
🐇
Rabbit
🐌
Snail
🚀
Rocket
🐢
Turtle
🌟 Thinking Question: When you dance FAST, do you have more or less energy?
Freeze Frame Slides Freeze Frame Fun
The Great Movement Finale!
The Rules
MUSIC ON = MOVE!
MUSIC OFF = FREEZE!
Don't forget your bubble!
Shape Challenges!
HIGH
Be a pointy mountain!
MIDDLE
Be a wide table!
LOW
Be a tiny rock!
Follow the Leader
Can you travel through the room on a...
Zigzag Path
Curvy Path
Movement Champions!
You kept your bubble safe!
Levels
Paths
Tempo
Great Job, Explorers!
Freeze Master Teacher Guide Great Finale Guide
Lesson 5: Freeze & Flow Control
Pre-K Dance
Learning Goal
Students will synthesize all previously learned skills (Space, Levels, Pathways, and Tempo) in a structured Freeze Dance game, demonstrating impulse control and motor planning.
Synthesized Skills
Space Bubble
High/Mid/Low
Pathways
Fast/Slow Tempo
The Mix
Prepare a playlist with frequent pauses and sudden tempo shifts.
"The Freeze Dance" (Greg & Steve)
"In the Hall of the Mountain King"
The Ultimate Game Plan
1
Recall (5 mins)
Quickly review: Bubbles (Space), Giraffe/Duck/Snake (Levels), and Zoom/Snail (Tempo). Tell them: "Today we use ALL our tools!"
2
The Basic Freeze (5 mins)
Play any music. When it stops, students freeze. "If you move a finger, you're out of ice!" (Keep it playful, don't actually eliminate Pre-K students).
3
The Challenge Rounds (15 mins)
Add specific "Freeze Constraints" using the Freeze Frame Slides :
"When music stops, freeze in a HIGH shape!"
"Move through the room on a ZIGZAG path... until I stop the music!"
"Move as SLOW as a snail... until you hear the drum!"
4
Awards (5 mins)
Hand out the Movement Explorer Awards . Have students take a "victory bow" at their favorite level.
Observation Checklist
Does the student...
Stop immediately on the cue?
Differentiate levels when asked?
Move through general space safely?
Does the student...
Adjust tempo to the music?
Maintain a "Still shape" for 3+ seconds?
Navigate without bumping others?
Explorer Award Certificate Movement Explorer
Official Award
This certificate is proudly awarded to:
Explorer Name
For being a SUPER DANCER and mastering the skills of Space, Levels, Pathways, and Tempo!
Space
Levels
Paths
Tempo
Teacher Signature
Date