Feather Dancing

Feather Dancing (Music Activity) for children three to five years.

Development Emphasis & Objectives

Social/Emotional – Work collaboratively with others. Self expression through movement, how a piece of music makes them feel.
Cognitive/Language – Provide an opportunity to hear and learn about classical music. Introduce musical terminology. Encourage verbalization regarding how the music moves them such as feeling sad, happy or excited. Following directions.
Physical/Motor – Use of gross motor skills as they dance and move. Eye hand coordination as they use the feather as a dance prop. Provide opportunities for students to walk, skip, gallop, slither, crawl, etc. Moving their bodies in space. Breathe control.
Creative – Create movements to go along with the style, tempo, and rhythm of the music they are listening to. Self expression.

Materials Needed
CD “Classical Music for Children” or another classical CD or music
CD player
Large Space
Feathers

Procedure
1. Play short passages from the music you are going to play while they dance, have the children just listen.
2. Discuss what it sounds like; explain tempo, beat, rhythm and how the music makes them feel
3. Give each child one feather to "feather dance" with. While the music plays, they have to keep the feather in the air by blowing it or using it as a prop.
4. Have the children stop dancing and just listen to Le Carnaval des Animaux by Saint Saens- for a few minuets.
5. Play the "Royal March of the Lion" have the children use their feathers as they roar and march with the royal lions.
6. Continue through the animal themes letting the children create movements as they become elephants, swans, fish, etc.

Limits and Guidance Suggestions:
1. Remember there is no “right” way to dance and move each child will have his/her own style.
2. Some students may prefer to be the “audience” and not performers.

Extensions of Activity
Use Le Carnaval des Animaux by Saint Saens along with a “Circus” theme – the children can create animal costumes such as elephant ears and trunk, swan wings or a lion’s mane to wear during their musical circus as they dance to movement of Le Carnaval des Animaux.

Any style of music can be used for “feather dancing” as long as it provides varied tempos and rhythms.

Dance with ribbons or scarves

Books that can be incorporated: Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, Elmer by David McKee, The Saggy Baggy Elephant by K & B Jackson, Going To The Zoo adapted from the lyrics of Tom Paxton, My School’s A Zoo by Stu Smith, The Tortise and the Hare Adapted by Janet Stevens, Thump, Thump Rat-a-Tat-Tat by Gene Baer, Head to Toe by Eric Carle, Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? By Eric Carle
.