Dances around the

world
(4th graders)
BY: Joanna Simon
Ms. Simon: “Good morning class I hope everyone had a good weekend and is excited about this
weeks lesson plan I have plan for us”.

Timmy: “I got a bike!!”

Sarah: “I went to Disney.”

Ms. Simon: “That’s amazing!! I have a question for you guys. Who here likes to dance?”

Students: “I do!, Oh meee!”

 Ms. Simon: “Okay class for this assignment I have
decided to pair everyone up in groups or pairs of
two. We will be learning about different dances
around the world and doing a show and tell for the
class.”

Eddy: “Can I do the chicken dance?”

Ms. Simon: “Haha Eddy. Well that is a type of

dance, but we will be learning about different
dances around the world. You guys will also be
able to create outfits corresponding your culture.
 Eddy: “So if I can’t do the chicken dance what
culture dances are we going to learn?”

Ms. Simon: “ Well Eddy that is a great question.”

Yesina: “When I go to Mexico and visit my

grandma I always see girls dressed in dresses. Is
that a culture dance?”

Ms. Simon: “Yes! Yesina, that is one type of culture

dance around the world.”
 Tom: “Do I have to dance with a girl? Eww.”

Enrique: “Ms. Simon I have a question. What

if I don’t know how to dance these dances in
time for the show and tell?”

Ms. Simon: Well Eddy, and Enrique these are

excellent questions. Don’t worry. Over the weekend
I was able to gather videos, and cutouts about the
cultures we will be learning about. We will be
learning about Latin, Asian, African American,
Indian dances and Hawaiian dances. With the
help of these step by step videos they will help you
learn the dances on time.. Don’t worry Tom it won’t
hurt at all.”
 Ms. Simon: “Let’s get started with watching a tutorial about a
dance in the Philippines called Tinikling.” (Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrSgRKhzjJ8,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWLoqv6ppeY)

Toni: “Ms. Simon would you also take

part of this activity with us?”

Ms. SImon: “Of course! I will pair with each

group to see how they are doing and how
well you guys are able to teach me these
dances”.

Alisa: “Wow this looks cool.”

William: “My mom tells me I can get sick if I

don’t wear socks on a cold floor.”
Ms. Simon: “Well William your mom is
right about that. I will provide a mat to
prevent you from getting sick. If you are
assigned this dance if you take a look at Brandon: “I want to do this!! I can wear
these cutouts this will give you an idea a cool hat.”
how you are going to design your outfits

Yesina: “For the outfits how will we

designed them or do I have to got
out and buy the outfits myself.”

Ms. Simon: “Thank you for bringing this up Yesina. I will be providing
the supplies need for you guys to design your outfits. I want you guys
to understand and respect every culture we will be learning and get
the experience to dress up.”
Ms. Simon: “For the next clip I will show you I am
excited to show you. As you guys know I am a
Hispanic and this is a very interesting dance to
learn.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8FP7idDFCE ,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZl5T3UPa2w
)”

Matthew: “Woah this looks

amazing!”

Anna: “I want to look

this amazing like the
little girl.”

Eddy: “Wait do I also have

to wear heels?”
Ms. Simon: “Haha Eddy no sweetie there is no need for
heels. If you listen closely the dances make a tap that
goes along with the dance.”

Yesina: “I can’t wait to

learn this dance and show
my family what I am
able to do.”

William: “Is there any way

you can take a video of me
so i can show my mom
how husband I am?”

Ms. Simon: “No worries!!”

Ms. Simon: “How many of you guys
watched the movie Moana?”

Girls: “MEEE!!”

Ms. Simon” Well today you can

also learn how to hula dance
like Moana herself
(https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=1qO10aSsWSU”

Toni: “I can do this in my

sleep. This does not seem
hard at all.”
Ana: “Wait will I also turn into
a animal like Moana’s
grandma? Will I be able to
save the world too?”

Timmy: “Hey I also want to save the

world too!!”

Ms. Simon: “And who said you can’t save

the world? To answer your question Ana
no you will not turn into an animal after
performing this dance don’t you worry.”
Ms. Simon: “Alright class whose ready for
a little challenge and maybe sweat a
little? In this next video we are going to Ana: “This dance looks a lot like
learn how to do a very traditional dance Folklorico dance we just learned.”
in Indian weddings. This is called
Bollywood.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV
hfaPpxDkw) “

DA 2

Ms. SImon: “Good observation!! Ana yes,

this does look similar to Folklorico the only
difference if you noticed is the hand work.
Unlike the latin dance they use big dresses
and they are more focus with their foot
placements.”
Ms. Simon: in this last dance video you will learn how to dance Kete which is a dance in the
African American culture. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUglKaocZH8). If you noticed
this dance also incorporate a little of every culture we just learn. Now after viewing all the
dances whose excited to see which one you will be dancing?”

Students: “OOHH MMEE!!!”

Yesina: “PLease pick me for

hispanic culture.”

Ms. Simon: “Well I challenge

everyone and made everyone learn
a different culture other than their
own.”
Ms. Simon: “I have a question
for you guys now. If you had
the opportunity to travel to
these countries do you think
you will be willing to do so?”

Classroom: “YESS!!”

Eddy: “I can go to
Hawaii and show them
how I taught myself
how to Hula dance.”
 Ms. Simon: “Now class I have another
question and this is important.”

Students: “Well Ms. Simon what is it tell us.”

Ms. Simon: “After this lesson do you guys feel more in

touched with your backgrounds and if so how can I
incorporate more culture lessons in this class to make
everyone feel appreciate and not embarrassed about
their ethnicity”.

Ana: “I like how you taught us

about different dances and how
similar they are with one another
William: “Me too!! I never thought I
would have enjoy dancing so much
after this lesson. You also taught me
to not be afraid to speak my native
language.”
Ms. Simon: “After learning and
performing different background
dances. Why do you think it’s
important to learn about culture
and diversity in a classroom
setting?”

Sarah: “I think this lessons

allows everyone to feel
included.”

Timmy: “This helps everyone build a

stronger relationship with everyone in the
classroom. By learning about everyone’s
background this helps me understand why
I should value their and my ethnicity.”
Ms. Simon: “Now that we have
taken the time to learn about these
amazing dances all around the
Sarah: “I am able to
world. Let’s discussed how this has
talk to learn more
made you feel in a learning
about my classmates.”
environment.”

Tom: “I found it interesting

Timmy: I have feel how most dances are bare
like I have learned foot this makes me realized
more about myself. how we are all similar in
different ways.”
 Ms. Simon: “How do you think this lesson helped you
in the future?”

John: “Umm… I think this has helped me

make more friends.”

Yesina: “I think I am able to

continue my roots and learn
to pass it off.”

Enrique “I learn that I can

DANCE!!!”
William: “I am able to teach my
parents how to Hula dance with the
help of the videos your provided. By
the way my mom did call me
husband.”

Ms. Simon: “I love the feedback class.

I am glad to hear your responses.”
Students: “Thank you Ms.
Simon for the experience
and memories we created
during this lesson. We were
able to have different
perspective on cultures. We
were able to learn and
explore about different
backgrounds.
Ms. Simon: “I want
you guys to know
this classroom is a
safe space. I am
willing to take the
extra step to help
everyone learn more
about their
background without
feeling embarrassed.”