Thoughts in Planning: When Planning This Lesson We Thought the Cha-Cha Slide Was a Well

EDUC 351

Grade Level: 2

Thoughts in planning: When planning this lesson we thought the Cha-Cha Slide was a well known all-around fun and easy dance students would enjoy. In this dance, students will learn various movements including the hop, stomp, clap, criss-cross of legs, the “Charlie Brown”(rocking backward and forward), and sliding. Also they will practice knowing directions left, right, front, and back. Students will need to know how to follow general instructions in order to be successful in this lesson. Throughout the lesson students will need to be aware of where their bodies are so they do not cause harm to others.

Goal for the learner: The students will be able to identify their left, right, front and back. The students will learn how to follow directions using their body parts. The children will grasp the understanding on how to hop. The students will learn how to stomp and clap to the beat. They will learn how to keep a fast pace and learn how to slow the pace down. They will learn direction such as low and high and reverse. The students will also learn how to slide and criss-cross. The students will also learn how to dance the cha-cha.

Assessment: The teacher will assess the students by observing how well they catch on and use the information they hear. The teacher should pay attention to how well the students follow direction. The teacher should assess the students on their knowledge of how well they know their left from their right and if they tried to keep up with the beat.

Material/Media:

· Computer with projector and speakers

· Internet access for video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCEu_dFfw6I

· Open space for dancing

Introduction: Ask students if they have ever heard of the cha-cha slide. Some things that you may not know about the Cha-Cha Slide are:

· The dance was developed in 1996 for a fitness gym class.

· When the dance became popular, DJ Casper AKA Mr. C decided to record it.

· The dance grew very popular in Canada and the United States. Now the song is used at dances, skating rinks, and weddings all over the country. The dance is an updated version of the electric slide.

Procedure:

· Pass out the Cha-Cha slide lyrics to each student, so they know each step to the dance.

· Go through each step with the students before playing the song.

· Show students a clip from you tube of the Cha-Cha slide.

· Go through each step one more time with the students before doing the dance with the song.

· Ask students, “What steps are needed in order to do the Cha-Cha slide?”

· Have students create a line facing us.

· Have students follow our lead as we do the dance to the song.

o “Take it to the left!” or “Take it to the right!” (This is a “grapevine” step with a “touch.”) Step to the side with the left (right) foot, step across left (right) foot with the right (left), step to the side with the left (right) foot, touch the right (left) foot beside the left (right).

o “Take it back now!” (This is simply three steps to the back with a touch.) Step back with the left foot, step back with the right foot, step back with the left foot, touch right foot beside left.

o “One hop this time!” (Number of hops will vary.) Hop forward with both feet.

o “Right (Left) foot let’s stomp!” Stomp right (left) foot in front. (Add your own personality with your arms.)

o “Now, Cha-Cha!” (This step is actually from the Latin dance from, the Cha-Cha. It is simply a “jazz square.”) Cross the right foot over the left, step back with the left foot, step to the right with the right foot, step forward with the left foot.

o “Turn it out!” or “Let’s Go to Work!” (Begin a “grapevine” step with a slight turn.) Make a slight turn to the left, step to the right with the right foot, step across right foot with the left foot, step to the side with the right foot, touch the left foot beside the right.

o “Clap your hands!” Clap your hands (fast) to the beat.

o “Criss Cross!” Jump both feet out, jump and cross right over left, jump both feet out, and jump both feet together.

o “Slide to the left!” Step to the left with the left foot, slide right foot to meet the left. “Slide to the right!” Step to the right with the right foot, slide left foot to meet the right.

o “Reverse, Reverse!” Do the slide to the opposite side.

o “How low can you go?” (This is the classic “limbo” step.) Lean back toward the floor, bending down as low as you can go.

o “Bring it to the top!” Pull yourself back up to a standing position, waving your arms above your head.

o “Hands on your knees!” With your hands crossing from knee-to-knee, bend your knees and bounce to the beat.

o “Charlie Brown!” (This is a “running man” step) Rock forward on right foot while kicking left foot back.

o “Freeze!” Freeze and strike a pose…with attitude!

· Closure: Do you think you will perform this dance anywhere else? What should you know in order to perform this dance? What is your favorite step in this dance?

Resources: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCEu_dFfw6I

Indiana State Standards:

Physical Education 2.1.4: Perform fundamental rhythmic skills proficiently alone, with a partner, or in a group.

Music 2.1.5: Follow the cues of a conductor with regard to tempo and dynamics.

Dance: 2.1.4: Demonstrate and identify the elements of time through movement using tempo and rhythm.