Activity
Dance Battle
Encourage the brain-body connection in your child with movement games. This activity will decide who’s got the better moves, throughout the ages of music! In addition to providing an opportunity for movement, this can be a great way to connect with your child and show them how dance and music have evolved over time.
What You Need:
- Open space
- Music and speakers
What You Do:
- Find an open space, outdoors or indoors, with nothing around that can be knocked over once your dance battle kicks off.
- Show your child some popular dance songs and videos of dances from different time periods; Elvis to disco, 80s pop to the Macarena! Talk to them all about how you danced at their age, as a teenager, young adult, etc.
- Now play the music and see who’s got the better moves!
- Here are some enrichment prompts to ask your child that will take your dance battle to the next level:
- Some dances are more directional and some allow for more freestyling; which do you like more?
- What kind of music do you like dancing to most?
- Can you make up your own dance?
- When will current popular music become the next “oldies”?
Dance Ideas:
- Ballroom dancing: Throw it way back to classical music. Try the waltz!
- Line dancing: Try the “Macarena”.
- Disco: Try "Y.M.C.A."
- Elvis Presley: Try to get your knees moving like The King!
- Newer dances: Try "the floss".
Related learning resources
History of Dance
Worksheet
History of Dance
Learn more about the history of dance, then make up some dances of your own, in this history of dance worksheet.
3rd grade
Worksheet
The Battle of Camden
Worksheet
The Battle of Camden
The Battle of Camden was a low point for the American forces in the Revolutionary War. Discover the errors made at the battle in this worksheet.
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
The Battle of Bunker Hill
Worksheet
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the early battles of the American Revolution. Discover the important features of the battle with this worksheet.
4th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
The Battle of San Jacinto
Worksheet
The Battle of San Jacinto
The Battle of San Jacinto was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Your child will sharpen his reading skills and his knowledge of U.S. history!
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
The Battle of Trenton
Worksheet
The Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton was a turning point for the Americans in the Revolutionary War. Your young historian will learn the facts with this worksheet.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Dance Language of Honey Bees: The Waggle Dance
Worksheet
Dance Language of Honey Bees: The Waggle Dance
In this worksheet, children will learn about the intricate "waggle dance" honeybees use to communicate to each other.
3rd grade
Science
Worksheet
Disco Dance Steps
Worksheet
Disco Dance Steps
Color in this disco dude, and on page two, learn a disco dance.
3rd grade
Worksheet
The Battle of Guilford Court House
Worksheet
The Battle of Guilford Court House
While the Americans lost the Battle of Guilford Court House, the aftermath led to the American victory at Yorktown. Learn more with this history worksheet.
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
American Revolution Battles
Worksheet
American Revolution Battles
Test your child's knowledge of the major American Revolution battles, given the date and year of each battle.
5th grade
Social studies
Worksheet
Robot Dance Party
Activity
Robot Dance Party
...If time permits, ask them to suggest a dance tune....
3rd grade
Science
Activity
The Battle of Fort Ticonderoga
Worksheet
The Battle of Fort Ticonderoga
...the battle of fort ticonderoga, american revolution, history, reading comprehension...
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Battle of the Tenths
Lesson plan
Battle of the Tenths
In this lesson, students will gain and use knowledge of expanded fraction form to play a fun card game involving rounding.
5th grade
Math
Lesson plan