What’s Up Phys Ed Friends!
Today I wanted to tell you about a really great dance resource that I’ve been using this year. It’s music from an artist that I originally heard about while attending an amazing PE Conference this summer called The National PE Institute.
I had a blast at the conference, but one of the highlights was an event that the Physedagogy Team put on called a Demo Slam. The concept is pretty simple but really powerful. It’s pretty much a Dance-Off, but instead of sharing dance moves, you share Physical Education Ideas that other teachers might find helpful.
It works like this… You get a bunch of people together and circle up, then put a 2 minute timer up on the screen and then people with ideas to share have 2 minutes to share their ideas with the group before getting “slammed” off the stage, as the next person in line begins sharing their idea. It’s a great way to get a bunch of sharing done quickly and it motivates people to share the basics and keeps anyone from rambling on to long.
One of my favorite takeaways from the Demo Slam was a song called “Jump” that someone presented by an artist named “Mr. Chris”. He’s got some incredible Hip Hop dance albums out there aimed at teaching basics of dance and hip hop to younger students.
You can see an example of my teaching the Jump Song to my students below:
- Also, for a full example of the dance check out this video
I’m not against square dancing or anything, but I don’t teach it at my school, because it’s most likely not very relevant to students as something they will use in the future. I’m also all for doing a creative dance unit, I don’t have enough time in the year to spend an entire unit teaching dance, since I only see my kids once a week – I combine my Jump Rope and Dance together into one unit. We learn a group line dance as a warmup and then learn jumprope skills for the rest of the lesson.
I like to teach dances that kids will actually be able to use one day when they are at a party, wedding reception or anywhere with a DJ and a dance floor.
Some of my go to dances like the Cupid Shuffle, Sid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide and Wobble (Instrumental) are starting to get old and I’ve already taught them to most of my kids, so I am always looking for new stuff – this year Silento’s Whip Nae Nae Dance was a pretty big hit with my kids (Dance Steps Cheat Sheet Here).
Note: You can also purchase my Line Dances in PE Dance Steps E-Book Here, if you want to get steps for my favorite dances that I teach students as warmups and intro activities.
This year I teach a 4K class once a week on a stage in the theatre at our school, since the gym is double booked with another PE Class. I was looking for some activities with low setup and Mr. Chris’ Hip Hop For Tots and Preschool 1 Albums were perfect for my situation.
After downloading 3 of his albums, I declared Wednesdays “Hip Hop Wednesday” and have been dancing up a storm with my 4K kids every Wednesday this year on the stage in our school’s theatre.
The songs are all super simple and most of them have youtube videos with examples of the dance steps.
The three albums I have are below
Jeanne Conrad says
Help! it’s raining and my principal took the gym away for 3 days for performances for the holidays.
I have an empty classroom and was thinking of using your Jump video but I cannot dance!
Any suggestions?
Marcus says
Below you will find a few activities for small spaces:
First a disclaimer:
* I’m no expert at classroom activities, normally I teach in a gym, but I have done a few things in a classroom when I’ve been kicked out of my gym – below are a few ideas:
Games I’ve done in a Classroom:
* Cross the River: https://www.thepespecialist.com/crosstheriver/
* Pass the Frog: https://www.thepespecialist.com/passthefrog/
* Hula Hut Relays: https://www.thepespecialist.com/pegames1/
You can do cup stacking relays/activities or any of the relay style Field Day Games if you have a little space
* Examples of Field Day Games: https://www.thepespecialist.com/fieldday/
* Tumbling Towers is a good one for small space, check out video at the link above
Fun Games to Try Out in a Classroom:
* Blindfold students and have their team guide them through an obstacle course in the classroom
* Minute to win it style games and challenges
* Juggling scarves or plastic bags if you don’t have scarves (follow along video from Kevin Tiller Here)
* Pipeline Activity (using pipes or paper towel rolls to transfer marbles from one place to another)
If you have a projector/TV you could do some video workouts or follow the leaders:
* Sworkit App
* Go Noodle
* Just Dance
Teach some Line Dances:
* The Whip Nae Nae: https://www.thepespecialist.com/dance/
* Mr. Chris’ Dances: https://www.thepespecialist.com/dance2/
* Hokey Pokey: https://www.thepespecialist.com/hokeypokey/
* Here’s an E-Book with my favorite Line Dances: Line Dance E-Book (Teachers Pay Teachers)
Cup Stacking
* 1 v 1 battles
* Relay Style
* Tech integration – check out Ben Prillo’s Animated GIFs for some examples students can follow along to
* Split into teams and build the tallest tower
* *Note – if you don’t have cup stacks, just use SOLO Cups instead for a cheap alternative
Video Resources
* Go Noodle Follow Along
* Just Dance Follow Along
* Watch Youtube Inspirational Videos
* Have a discussion on grit, willpower and not giving up
* Have students set goals and make action plans
* Classroom Workout Videos on Youtube
* Yoga Lessons – Youtube or Yoga Studio App – or Super Stretch Yoga
* Magic School Bus Videos: Exploring the Human Body (and others)
* Adventure to Fitness DVDs and Videos
Playout The Game Exercise Game Cards
* Cards here: https://amzn.to/2lUUdNF
* Video Tutorial Here: https://youtu.be/gWxEfcK-mvw
Paper Rock Scissors Battles – Integrate Exercise and track points with Popsicle Sticks
Jump Bands
* Learn different steps
* Switch up the enders and jumpers
Balloon Striking Activities
* Here’s an example of a lesson
* If there is space you could also move on to beach balls to add difficulty
Create a Game Activity
* Give student paper and pencil and have them create their own game to play later
* Discuss a template – diagram, rules, equipment needed, objective of the game ect
Fitness / Exercise:
* Teach some different exercises (you could even use our 25 Exercise Posters)
* Have students complete their own personal workout plans and teach them to the class
Drum Fit with Noodles on Desks
* Google around for Cardio Drumming or Drum Fit and you’ll find lots of examples, but here’s one: https://youtu.be/C1wFHehzrJs
Health Lessons
* Go over some health concepts using the framework in this post: https://www.thepespecialist.com/health/
* Also check out http://www.Kidshealth.org for some lesson ideas
Books that might be good to check out on this topic:
* No Gym No Problem: https://amzn.to/2zQnbsm
* I haven’t read this one personally, but heard lots of good things about it from teachers who lost their gym or taught in a classroom
* No Props, by Mark Collard: https://amzn.to/2WLreiz
* An awesome book on teambuilding games and icebreakers with no equipment needed, Mark also has a website with some good team building resources (Playmeo.com)
Hope this helps
Sheila Burke says
Looks like so much fun! I can always count on you for great content.
Thank you!
Marcus says
Hey Sheila,
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Mike Gee says
Hi. Do you have the lesson plan cheat sheet? I downloaded and then lost it.
Marcus says
Hey Mike!
Are you looking for the lesson plan cheat sheet for teaching dance?
Or the long range plan?
You can access the Long Range Plan Template at the link below:
Long Range Plan Template
Hope this helps!
Christine says
Thank you so much for all your lessons! I am looking forward to teaching my first full year of P.E. next year. I wanted to share some really fun dance videos that I found on YouTube DJ Raphi https://www.youtube.com/c/DJRaphi/featured
Thanks for all that you do!
Marcus says
Hey Christine!
Thanks for reaching out!
DJ Raphi is awesome! We use his Cha Cha Slide video for visuals!
Good luck with your first full year of teaching! You will have a blast!
We have a podcast of Tips for First Year Teachers! Check it out below for some helpful advice:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/podcast/002-advice-for-a-first-year-teacher/
Have a great day!
julia King says
This is awesome!!! Thank you, very valuable info!
Marcus says
You’re welcome Julia! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Shaquita says
Hey I love this, and I plan on using it for my warmup.
Can the jump lesson plan and cheat sheet be emailed to me if it’s still available. I clicked the link but nothing came up.
Thanks a bunch!!!!!
Marcus says
Hey Shaquita,
Glad you’re enjoying the resources! Sorry about the issue with the download.
Check your inbox for the LP and cheat sheet.
Agwe Emile says
More Pe Activities.
Deepak Kumar says
thanks for sharing this tips
victoria mcneil says
who created this blog and when was it created? I would like to use this as a source for a college assignment
Ben Landers says
I created it (Ben Landers) and not sure of the original date because it’s been edited a few times since then, but around 2015-2016 sometime.
Misti Galvan says
Looking for the music information.
Jason Hastings says
Is this appropriate for K-3?
Ben Landers says
Sure with some modification probably – all the other songs listed in the post below the albums, are great for younger kids.
I normally use Jump Dance for 2nd – 5th.
Hanne Schmidt says
Thanks for your enthusiasm to incorporate dance into your PE. I remember in middle school having one unit on square dancing. It was my favorite, but you are correct, it is very irrelevant! Why not give kids a little instruction on steps they may actually get to use in life. I think feeling comfortable moving to music is an important social skill for weddings, school dances, and more. I am a dancer and have my PE teaching credential with the intent to teach secondary dance, so I am passionate that moving to music is good for the soul! It helps people forget that they are exercising! Keep it up! What an amazing thing for your students!
Ben Landers says
Thanks Hanne – totally agree. Hope you can find somewhere to spread the dancing passion that you have. Appreciate the feedback!
Georgia says
Hi Ben,
I was wondering if the Jump Song Lesson Plan is free? I have tried to download it and it goes into my ‘cart’ yet, when I click to checkout it doesn’t process.
I think this could be a great addition to my folio!
Thanks! Georgia
Ben Landers says
Yep – thanks for the heads up, it should be fixed now.
Georgia says
Thanks so much Ben!
Bill Grugan says
Thanks Ben for spearheading this professional community site! It’s been awhile since I had to develop an elementary dance unit, and this resource was very helpful! Thanks again and “teach on”!
Ben Landers says
Glad it was helpful Bill!
Scott says
Thanks Ben, this is an incredible resource you put together here. I cannot wait to put my dance unit together while incorporating your ideas. -Scott (physedreid)
Ben Landers says
Glad it was valuable! Hope the dance unit is awesome!
Kimberly Ihrke says
My students loved Silento’s Whip & Nae Nae. I choreographed my own version to the song. I wish I knew how to share it. We use it for warm up every once in awhile. Thank you for sharing additional examples.
adam lee says
Kimberley i d love to see this…can you share to my email [email protected]
i am thinking of starting Whip and Nae Nae in my upcoming dance unit
Ben Landers says
That’s great Kimberly – the easiest way to share is probably making a youtube video. Go for it!
Kimberly Ihrke says
Not sure if i’m ready to put it on youtube. I’ll think about it. Thanks!
Kim Ihrke says
Here it is…
https://youtu.be/Mkh7c0T-xdY
I hope it is useful 😀