Breakin’ 101
Lesson Plan
Cynthia Jones K-12 National Dance Educator of the Year 2011
Age/Grade Level: Middle to High School Students
National Dance Standards Taught to: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Objectives: Students will show kinesthetic awareness as they explore movement with strength building floor work and
top rock combinations in the popular genre of breakin’.
Equipment:
Music/sound equipment for CD or ipod
Large space (gym, studio or stage) for moving
Web cam for reflection and analyzing movement
Mirrors for observation (optional)
Lesson Focus with Culminating Activities:
 Introduce students to the basic Top Rock and Footwork drills for breakin’ set to music
 Discuss history and evolution of break dancing
 Students will work in small groups of 5-6 to create a short combination incorporating some stop rock and floor work
combinations they have learned in class.
 Discuss the history and evolution of graffiti art and it’s influence on the culture of hip hop and breakin
Top Rock Steps:
1. Indie Step: step touch side to side, step side heel tap front, step side toe tap back (body leans away from extended
leg)
2. Kick step step: to the side, turning to the back or front, with a back twist, CC (twist to front)
3. Drops to floor: kick out hook foot behind knee and drop onto hooked foot on floor then corkscrew up or continue
with footwork on floor
4. Cross lateral drop: step side, cross lateral step behind or in front to lower to ground
Footwork Drills:
1. Neutral 1st Basic: weight on balls of feet under hips, shift weight side to side on fingers; with leg wrap in front and
drop weight to hands on side
2. Neutral 2nd Basic: wide plank in second, alternate lifting hands from floor; lift hand and cross lateral shoot leg out
in front and back to second; leg and arm crosses moving side to side
3. 6-step: start in basic wrap position with R leg wrapped in front, place weight on right foot, take L foot back
(beginning of second pos. basic), take R leg back to end in basic second, cross lateral shoot L leg to front, pull R leg
under L to end in basic wrap position, return to neutral 1st basic.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed practically through teacher observation. Formal assessments can be made through observation
of video taped combinations and analyzing the movement. Summative assessments could include research done on the
subject of breakin’, hip hop, and graffiti and how they tie in to present day culture.
Extension:
Study and create an original piece of graffiti art. Create movement from your art piece and set it to music.
Breakin’ 101 Playlist
1. Concerto Grosso
Young Mozart
2. Hip Hop Waltz in G Flat Minor
Young Mozart
3. Right Hand High
Kid Sister
4. Black and Yellow
Wiz Kahlifa
5. Party Rock Anthem
LMFAO
6. Don’t Touch Me
Busta Rhymes
7. Dirty Orchestra
Black Violin
8. Brandenburg
Black Violin
9. Up
Jesse McCartney
10. Family Affair
Mary J. Blige
11. Just Fine
Mary J. Blige
12. It Takes Two
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
13. Wild Wild West
Will Smith
14. Shawty Got Moves
Get Cool
15. 2 Step
Unk
16. 24’s
Rich Girl
17. Pumped Up Kicks
Foster the People
18. Energetic
BoA
19. Lean Back
Josh Vietti
20. Ballroom Dancing
Young Mozart