Feeling tapped out from lesson planning?
Dance teachers, we salute you. We know how busy your days are, from lesson planning and teaching to choosing music and running your dance studio and classes day to day. This is why we have put together this guide to help take the stress out of lesson planning.
Why Should Dance Teachers Use Lesson Plans and Teaching Points?
"Fail to plan, and you plan to fail" - isn't that how the saying goes? Well, when it comes to teaching dance, it holds a lot of truth. Having a solid lesson plan is key to setting clear goals, tracking student progress, and making sure each class moves with purpose.
As a dance teacher, apart from dancing and sharing your passion, your priority is to create a positive and encouraging environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves through movement, because dance is a creative form of physical activity that builds confidence as well as self-expression.
A lesson plan allows you to:
Stay Organized: Keep track of what you've covered and what's coming next.
Hit Your Goals: Help students learn step by step while giving them the support they need to improve technique.
Maximize Learning: Save valuable planning time and keep skill development structured from class to class.
A well-prepared lesson plan isn't just a tool; it's a foundation for creating memorable dance classes that balance enjoyment and creativity.
Key Components: How To Structure A Dance Lesson?
Effectively structuring a dance lesson can make all the difference in keeping your students engaged, focused, and excited about learning to dance. In primary school PE, a clear structure also helps teachers use dance lesson plans more formally.
While the exact structure will vary depending on your studio setup and the time you have, a great lesson should balance fun, focus, and nurturing your students' passion for dance. The last thing you want is for students to leave your class feeling unfulfilled or questioning their love for the hobby.
Warm-up (5-10 minutes)
As you know, warm ups are of real importance before starting any dance lesson, helping students get physically and mentally ready to move. Put on some active and fun music (why not take a couple of suggestions from your students) and get your bodies moving.
Start with dynamic stretches to warm and prepare muscles for movement.
Move on to light cardio to get the heart rate up and blood pumping.
Play some fun, active games, such as dance tag, walking to the beat to build rhythm, and Simon Says (dance move edition).
Not only will a warm-up help to get you and your students ready to ‘slay' the lessons, but with the addition of games, it can also help build stronger connections in the group.
Teach new dance skills or recap/ techniques (10-15 minutes)
Recap any new skills or steps that were taught in your previous class, and see how much of the information was retained or if anything needs to be recapped from the last session.
If the vast majority of students are happy with the steps, then this could be an opportunity to teach new steps and techniques that align with your goals and objectives, while also improving technique and quality of movement.
Introduce fresh steps, sequences, or choreography (15-20 minutes)
Once your students have mastered their new dance skills, it's time to incorporate them into some choreography and apply those skills through new movement ideas. Break down the choreography into easy-to-digest sequences, getting the students to watch, copy, and replicate.
Open the floor to your students to add any flair or personality to the moves, using a clear theme or different emotions as a lens for expression. Encourage them to think about space as they travel, including direction and pathways.
Please note that this step is not always relevant to include in your dance lessons and can be negated if you've already fully choreographed your dance routines for any upcoming recitals, competitions, or exams.
4. Rehearsal run-through (15-20 minutes)
Do you have any dance routines or choreography that need practicing? Now is the time in the lesson to run through those, ensuring that all students know and understand the routine, the steps, and how to perform them with confidence. It's important to look through and highlight any issues, show appreciation for progress, and praise any students or steps that are doing well while giving constructive feedback. Rehearsal can also include performing in pairs or small groups.
Cool down (5-10 minutes)
Finish your class with a cool down and stretches to prevent soreness and promote flexibility. Recap what was learned and encourage students to share what they enjoyed most. Now would also be a great time to mention anything that students may need to know for upcoming lessons or events.
TOP TIP: When planning a dance lesson, it's important to ensure your goals and objectives for the class and your students are aligned. Ie, if you're preparing for a showcase, competition, or exam, your lesson style should reflect this.
Where To Find The Time To Plan A Lesson?
“But I don't have time to create fun, engaging, and updated lesson plans for every class, every week,” we hear you say!
What if we told you there's software that could save you up to 25 hours of admin time each week and support lesson planning? With Class Manage dance studio software, you can, thanks to its range of features and helpful resources designed to support the overall running of your studio, including:
Easy class enrollment with an attractive and visual class schedule.
Send out communications quickly and effortlessly.
All of your information in one easy-to-navigate system for quick access
That means less time stuck in admin and more time for fresh ideas and inspiration while planning amazing lessons and dancing to your own beat!
with our team, or create your free account here.
