Summary

In this lesson, students will work independently or in groups to learn rhythm patterns and movement sequences through guided video tutorials. They will perform the sequence together in class. The final rhythmic dance battle will be done with the upbeat and popular song 'Dance Monkey'.

_{The timing and pacing of the exercises in this lesson plan example are approximate and will differ depending on your students' skill level. If the pace of this lesson plan is too fast for you, divide it into several lessons or ask students to fully learn their parts before the lesson starts (as homework). This way you can devote the whole lesson to combine the teams together in one cohesive performance.  If the pace of this lesson plan is too slow for you, explore the 'Beyond the lesson' chapter at the end of this lesson plan for additional activities.}

⏰ Time: 45 min

🎓 Grades: 1-6

🎯 Objective(s): As a result of this lesson, students will

• Improve body awareness, coordination and control of movement;
• Improve collaboration and teamwork;
• Practice clapping quarter and eighth notes;
• Revisit music notation - how quarter notes, eighth notes and quarter rests are portrayed;
• Combine rhythm with dancing along a popular song

💡 Required Prior Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic music notation, quarter notes, eighth notes, quarter rests

💻 Materials:

• Solfeg.io mobile or web app. This class will work best if each group has at least one phone with Solfeg.io mobile app installed
• Projector or computer and access to Wi-Fi
• No instruments needed

👇 Final result! Watch this video 👇

Song:

Preparation

🕐 5 min - Checklist

Check if students have access to Solfeg.io! Each group should have access to at least 1 device. Students can complete this lesson from any mobile device, iPad (Solfeg.io app is needed) or computer.

App download links:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1522876263

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.solfegio.solfegio

Warmup

🕐 5 min - Teamwork!

• Introduce the song 'Dance Monkey' to your students. Read some facts about it from the song description!
• Listen to the full song.
• Explain to your students that today they will clap and dance along this song in 2 groups.
• Divide the class into 2 groups!

Practice

🕐 5 min - Exercise 1 - Team 1

• Put the class 'Rhythmic Dance Battle: Dance Monkey' on your projector and choose '1' in the answer options.
• Watch the video once and practice the clapping and the dance together with Team 1 (other teams can learn together with Team 1 too or practice their parts independently).
• Provide additional explanations for any of the rhythm or dance patterns if needed.

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🕐 5 min - Exercise 2 - Team 2

• Put the class 'Rhythmic Dance Battle: Dance Monkey' on your projector and choose '2' in the answer options.
• Watch the video once and practice the clapping and the dance together with Team 2 (other teams can learn together with Team 2 too or practice their parts independently).
• Provide additional explanations for any of the rhythm or dance patterns if needed.

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🕐 10 min - Exercise 3 - Independent Practice

• Ask students to take their phones, open Solfeg.io app and start the class 'Rhythmic Dance Battle: Dance Monkey' there. Put in their group number and ask them to watch their team's videos again and practice their part. Students can practice by themselves, in a group or even in different rooms, depending on what's available to you.

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🕐 15 min - Exercise 4 - Perform!

• Get all students back together! Explain to students that they'll now practice clapping and dancing all the parts together.
• Put on this video on the projector which shows the final result so that the students can follow it in case they forget something.
• Play the video and practice together multiple times! Give your students advice on what to improve.
• Do one final performance and don't forget to applaud for yourselves!

Reflection

🕐 5 min - Discussion

• What did you like about clapping and dancing to a popular song?
• What was easy and what was challenging?

Beyond the Lesson

Challenge students to go beyond the lesson by...

• Learning to sing or clap along the whole 'Dance Monkey' song.
• Doing another Rhythmic Dance Battle!
• Coming up with different dance moves for the song.

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