SUBJECT AREA/ SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Science & Creative MovementCloud Dance (4th Grade)
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Major Art Modality Utilized: Creative Movement
Standards Addressed in
this Lesson:
-differentiate between the
states of water and how
they relate to the water
cycle and weather (GPS,
ITBS) (4SC_B2006-10)
-analyze weather
charts/maps and collect
weather data to predict
weather events and infer
patterns and seasonal
changes (GPS, ITBS)
(4SC_B2006-11)
-observe, measure, and
analyze weather data to
determine patterns in
weather and climate
(GPS) (1SC_B2007-7)
-demonstrate locomotor
and non-locomotor
movements (QCC, CE)
(2PE_B2009-2)
Multiple Intelligences Addressed: Body-Kinesthetic, Visual-Spatial, Musical
Lesson Abstract: Using different types of music, students will create a dance performance
to represent the three major types of clouds: Cirrus, Alto, Stratus. They will also create a
word poem they can perform with rhythm sticks describing the characteristics of the
different types of clouds.
Materials Needed: CD player and various CDs with instrumental music, white boards and
dry erase markers, rhythm sticks, a large open space.
Procedures:
1.Begin the lesson by playing the Voice-Thread (See Resources/Links section) as an
introduction to the three different categories of clouds. Divide the class into smaller groups
so that each group has their own whiteboard and dry erase markers. Show the pictures of
each type of cloud and allow the students to write or draw on their boards
images/words/lines that make them think of that type of cloud (for example with cirrus
clouds, students may write things like “Light” “feathers” “wispy” or draw feathers or
swooping curly lines).
2. After all three categories of clouds have been discussed, bring the students into an
area where they can move around. Start playing music that is light-hearted and peppy and
ask the students to walk around the space in time with the music. Encourage them to
move their arms in a way that they feel matches the music. Ask students to describe how
they were moving, then ask them which type of cloud they feel matches the music they
were just listening to. Hopefully they will connect the music with cirrus cloud types.
3. Repeat this step with marching military music (alto) and spooky music in a minor key
(stratus). Each time encourage the students to explore the space through movement in
time with the music.
SUBJECT AREA/ SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Science & Creative Movement- Cloud Dances
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Procedures: (Continued)
Area for Teacher Notes:
-This lesson assumes
students have had an
introduction to the basics
of weather and water
cycles.
4. Direct the students back to the whiteboards and dry erase markers. This time they can
write words that describe the way they felt when they were moving to the music.
Encourage them to create at least one word for each person in their group. If they have
more, that's all right too, but they should try to have one per person.
5. If you have access to rhythm sticks, distribute them to the groups. The students will
take the words they have listed and use those as the “script” for a poem.
6. Begin the poem performances by having the students stand in a line and determine a
steady beat with the rhythm sticks. They should start by saying the type of cloud they are
describing all together, then each person can say one word as they go down the line. For
example:
All students together: “Cirrus!”
Student 1: Feathers!
Student 2: Light!
Student 3: High up!
All students together: “Cirrus!”
7. After all the groups perform their poems, go through a technique called “shopping” by
taking a few of the best words from each groups' performances to make a full poem for
each type of cloud. Create a unique rhythm for each type of cloud and learn the poem all
together as a class.
8. If time permits, incorporate movements from the earlier exercises along with a recitation
of the poems.
SUBJECT AREA/ SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Science & Creative Movement- Cloud Dances
Area for Teacher Notes:
Assessment:
Using a group performance rubric to grade the poems and dances.
Name:____________________
Energy/Enthusiasm
_____/25
Information
_____/50
Collaboration
_____/25
Resources/ Links:
VoiceThread for Information Introduction (created by Allison Carter)http://voicethread.com/?#q+clouds.b329149.i1744078
Cloud Images and Definitionshttp://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm
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