Body Language Teacher Resource Body Language Lab
Lesson 1: Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grade
1
Objective
Students will understand that dance is a form of communication by using movement to express specific emotions and ideas without speaking.
Time
45 - 60 Minutes
Materials
Slide Deck, Emotion Dance Cards, Music player (rhythmic beats), Open space.
The Hook: Silent Charades (10 mins)
Gather students in a circle. Whisper an emotion (Happy, Angry, Scared, Excited) to one student. They must "show" the emotion using only their body (no faces, if possible, to focus on posture/limbs). The class guesses.
Key Question: How did you know what they were feeling if they didn't use words?
Discussion: Dance as Language (10 mins)
Explain that before humans had complex languages, they used movement to tell stories and share feelings. Dance is the world's oldest way of talking!
Idea: "I am hungry" (Rub stomach, reach for fruit)Feeling: "I am proud" (Stand tall, chest out)
Activity: The Emotion Lab (20 mins)
Use the Emotion Dance Cards . Divide students into small groups. Each group picks a card and creates a "3-count move" for that emotion.
Facilitation Tip:
Encourage students to use levels (high/low) and speeds (fast/slow). A 'sad' move might be low and slow, while 'excited' is high and fast.
Reflection: The Moving Gallery (10 mins)
Groups perform their 3-count move for the class. Students guess the emotion and discuss what body parts helped communicate it.
Success Criteria
Students can identify at least two emotions based on movement and can perform a movement that clearly communicates a specific feeling.
Emotion Dance Cards
Teacher: Cut these out for the small group activity.
JOY
Light, Bouncy, High
ANGER
Heavy, Sharp, Strong
SADNESS
Heavy, Droopy, Low
EXCITEMENT
Fast, Wiggly, Big
CALM
Slow, Smooth, Flowing
SCARED
Small, Shaking, Sharp
Body Language Slides THE BODY LANGUAGE LAB
How do we talk with our bodies?
The Big Question
Can you tell a story without using words?
Long ago, before people had words for everything, they used movement to share their lives.
What is Dance?
Dance is organized movement with a purpose.
1
To show a feeling
2
To tell a story
3
To celebrate together
"Dance is a language that everyone in the world can understand!"
How do we move?
HIGH
Reaching for the stars, jumping, standing tall.
MIDDLE
Walking, twisting, bending knees.
LOW
Crawl, roll, crouch on the floor.
MOVE IT!
Wait for your card, then create your move!
GET READY TO DANCE!
Hula Nature Slides Nature Stories
Exploring Hawaiian Hula Traditions
What is Hula?
Hula is a traditional dance from the Hawaiian Islands.
It is more than just a dance; it is a way to remember history and show love for nature.
"Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people."
Dancing with Hands
In Hula, every hand movement has a special meaning!
Ocean
Waves rolling in
Rain
Fingers falling down
Sun
Big circle in the air
Flower
Wrists together, fingers out
Showing Respect
When we learn Hula, we are learning someone's history. We move with grace and seriousness.
In Hawaii, "Aloha" means love, peace, and compassion.
Hula Workshop
Let's tell a nature story with our hands!
1. OCEAN WAVES
2. RISING SUN
3. RAIN FALLING
Hula Story Map Worksheet Hula Story Map
Tell your nature story through drawing!
Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Pick 3 things from nature and draw them in the boxes below. These will be the moves in your Hula dance!
1
My First Move: ____________________
2
My Second Move: ____________________
3
My Third Move: ____________________
Think & Share:
Why do we use our hands to tell stories in Hula? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Community Circle Slides TOGETHER
The Power of Community Dance
We move as one!
Community Bonding
Long ago, dances were like big neighborhood parties!
People danced to celebrate:
Harvest & Food
Holidays
Making new friends
Dances helped communities stay CONNECTED
The Magic Circle
Why is a circle so special for dancing?
Rhythm & Unison
UNISON
Moving at the same time to the same beat.
BEAT
CLAP
STEP
CIRCLE UP!
Time to try our community circle dance!
STOMP • CLAP • TURN • SMILE
Community Circle Teacher Resource The Community Circle
Lesson 3: Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grade
1
Objective
Students will understand dance as a community-building tool and practice rhythmic synchronization in a circle formation.
Core Skill
Unison (moving together) and steady beat maintenance.
Resources
Upbeat folk music (e.g., Celtic jigs, West African drumming), large open space.
The Hook: The Human Beat (10 mins)
Students stand in a circle. Teacher starts a simple pulse: Clap, Pat knees, Clap, Pat knees. Go around the circle one by one, with each student joining the pulse until everyone is in unison.
Discussion: Why Circles? (10 mins)
Teacher: "In a circle, who is the most important person?" (Wait for answers—the goal is 'everyone').
Explain that folk dances were for everyone—not just experts! Mention examples like the Hora (Middle East/Europe) or Djembe circle dances (Africa).
The Community Dance (20 mins)
Teach a simple 4-step circle sequence:
Step to the center (4 counts) while reaching hands high.
Step back out (4 counts) while lowering hands.
Clap 3 times (Clap-Clap-Clap).
Turn in a small circle in place (4 counts).
Practice without music first, then add music. Encourage eye contact and smiling at neighbors.
Cool Down & Wrap (10 mins)
Sit in the circle. Ask: "How did it feel when we all moved at the exact same time?" "How did we help our neighbor stay on the beat?"
Extension Idea
Ask students to name one thing they would celebrate with a dance today (e.g., lunch, sunshine, a new puppy). Create a 'celebration' move for that item and add it to the circle!
Ballet History Slides ROYAL STEPS
The Story of Ballet
Where did it start?
Ballet began in the Royal Courts of Europe hundreds of years ago.
Kings and Queens loved to dance to show how elegant and powerful they were.
It started in FRANCE
That's why ballet words are in French!
Reach for the Sky
Folk dance is grounded (near the earth).
LONG NECKS
STRONG BACKS
POINTED TOES
"In ballet, we try to look as light as a feather!"
Learn the Language
PLIÉ
(plee-ay)
To bend the knees.
RELEVÉ
(re-le-vay)
To rise on your toes.
THE STAGE
Ballet is meant to be watched by an audience!
TAKE A BOW!
Compare the Dance Worksheet Compare the Dance
Ballet vs. Community Dance
Name: ________________________
Where do these words belong? Write them in the circles or in the middle if they fit both!
Kings & Queens Big Circles Tiptoes Celebration Music Costumes Telling Stories
Ballet
Community
Both
Which dance style would you rather watch? Why?
Compare the Dance Answer Key Answer Key
Compare the Dance: Ballet vs. Community
Teacher Only
Ballet
Kings & Queens
Tiptoes
Costumes
Both
Community
Discussion Points
Common Grounds: Emphasize that all dance uses music and can tell stories, regardless of whether it's performed in a palace or a village square.
Key Contrast: Contrast the "lifted" nature of ballet (Kings/Queens/Tiptoes) with the "grounded" and "inclusive" nature of folk dance (Community/Big Circles).
Costumes: While both use special clothing, ballet costumes are often designed for professional stages (tutus, slippers), whereas folk costumes often represent regional heritage and daily life celebrations.
World Dance Passport Sequence • Lesson 4 Comparison Key
Choreography Planner Worksheet Dance Makers
Create Your Own School Dance!
Group: ________________________
Step 1: Pick a Topic
What part of school life are you dancing about? (Examples: Recess, Math Class, Lunch, Library)
Step 2: Create Your Moves
1
Beginning Move
Draw or write how you start!
2
Middle Move
Draw or write what happens next!
3
Ending Bow
How do you show you are finished?
Step 3: Tell the Story
When people watch your dance, what should they feel? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
World Dance Diploma World Dance Diploma
This certifies that
________________________________
Has successfully completed the journey through global traditions and can now use movement to tell stories, build community, and express emotion.
Class Choreographer
Official Seal
Date
Dance Synthesis Slides Final DANCE MAKERS
Our Moveable History
Our Journey So Far
Communication
Using our bodies to show feelings.
Storytelling
Hula hands tell stories of nature.
Community
Circles bring us together.
The Final Challenge
It's time to create history!
Imagine future students find a "time capsule" with your dance inside. What would it show them about 1st grade?
A Time Capsule of Movement
How to Build a Dance
1
Pick a school memory
2
Create 3 clear moves
3
End with a Royal Bow
Pro Tip:
"Make sure your moves are BIG so everyone in the 'audience' can see them!"
SHOWTIME!
Perform your history for the class!
DANCE
EXPLAIN
CELEBRATE
