Early Childhood Education

Learning Experience Template

Name: Molly Potter Lesson Title: Animal Movements

Date: March 12, 2024 Grade Level: Toddler Circle one: ECE PKSN
Standard(s)/Guideline(s): Creative Development - Artistic Engagement and Expression 1.b Expresses self creatively through music and dance

Standard(s)/Guideline(s): Physical Development and Wellness - Motor Development 1.a. Develops competency in a variety of locomotor skills and non-
locomotor skills

Pre-assessment of current knowledge: I will begin by asking open-ended questions about animals and their movements. I will also conduct simple movement
activities or games to assess the toddlers current motor skills.

Instructional Objectives (1-2) Assessment of Student Learning Learning Experience

One/Two Assessed Instructional
Objective(s):
 Improve motor skills
through basic dance and
movement activities.
 Encourage creativity and
imagination by imitating
animal movements.
 Promote social interaction
and teamwork.
One Assessed Developmental
Skill:
 Motor skills development:
assessing the children’s
ability to imitate animal
movements,
demonstrating
coordination and balance.
Safety Considerations: keeping
the space clear of hazards and
supervising the children closely.
Identify Evidence:
 Record the children’s engagement and ability to
follow movement instructions, noting creative and
teamwork during activities. These will be recorded
using checklists or anecdotal notes.
 I will capture photos and videos of children
demonstrating key skills and creativity in animal
movement activities.
Program Monitoring:
 Compile data from individual performance rubrics
into a class-wide summary chart. This can visually
represent the group’s overall development and
allows for easy tracking of progress.
Differentiation: I can tailor movement and dance activities
to accommodate varying levels of physical ability and
engagement, ensuring that all toddlers can participate at
their own pace.
Academic Language: creativity, sequencing, collaboration.
Procedural steps:
1. First the children will stand or sit in a circle, and I will
introduce the theme by talking about different
animals and the ways they move.
2. Then I will lead the children in simple stretches to
warm up.
3. Then we will play animal dance party
a. I will play a song and call out an animal
name. The children will then move or dance
like the animal. I will provide pictures of
animals to help the children visualize.
4. Next, we will play musical statues with an animal
twist.
a. I will play music and have the children dance
around. When the music stops, they freeze in
a pose related to an animal I call out.
5. After, we will have an animal parade.
a. The children will line up to represent a
parade. Each child chooses an animal to
embody and move across the room as that
animal as the rest of the class claps.
6. Lastly, we will cool down with a gentle stretch. I will
lead the students in a stretching routine, mimicking
animals in order to calm their bodies.

Rev. 1/2024
 Early Childhood Education
Learning Experience Template

Authentic Materials: a large space, speaker, selection of

songs, and picture of animals.

Adult Roles:
 Ensure safety of the children
 Lead the different activities and stretches

Resources & References:

Reflection: (What have you learned about your students? How will this inform future instruction?)

Rev. 1/2024