Teaching Tips & Activity Context:
In this video, Matthew Wood leads students in a lively and engaging Earth Day Freeze Dance Song. Students will have the opportunity to follow along with dance moves and show off their own moves. There are also Springtime Earth Races where students can choose a racer to cheer on by running in place. This video is ideal for K-8 classrooms as a brain break, indoor recess activity, or a warm-up to get students moving and energized. It can be used in both virtual and in-person learning settings.
Skills Focus:
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Coordination
- Following dance moves and rhythm
- Locomotor skills (running in place during Earth Races)
Instructional Suggestions:
- Before playing the video, remind students to clear some space to move around safely.
- Explain the concept of freeze dance to students if they are unfamiliar with it. Encourage them to dance freely and express themselves during the non-freeze parts of the song.
- For virtual classrooms, consider using a video conferencing platform that allows students to see and interact with each other. This will add an element of social connection and encourage participation.
- For students who may have difficulty following dance moves, provide visual or verbal cues to break down the movements into simpler steps.
- To accommodate students with physical limitations, encourage them to modify the movements to their comfort level or participate in the Earth Races by cheering on their classmates.
Extension Ideas (optional):
- After the video, have a class discussion about Earth Day and why it is important to take care of the planet. Brainstorm ideas for how students can make a positive impact on the environment.
- Integrate the theme of Earth Day into other subjects by assigning a writing assignment where students can create persuasive posters or speeches advocating for environmental conservation.
- Have students create their own freeze dance routines with an Earth Day or Spring theme and showcase them to their classmates.
- Encourage students to research and learn more about other environmental holidays and celebrations around the world. They can create presentations to share their findings.
