Here is a detailed lesson plan for a beginner hip-hop class for dancers ages 6 to 8 years old.
| Skill focus: | isolations, floor work, body rolls | ||
| Class Segment | Skill/Position | Activity Description | Teacher notes |
| Stretch/Warm-up | Cardio warmup | Jumping jacks 4 x 8 counts | |
| Run in place 4 x 8 counts | |||
| High knees 2 x 8 counts | |||
| Isolations | 1 shoulder up/down (right and left sides) | ||
| alternating shoulders | |||
| Rolling shoulders (right and left) | |||
| Chest isolations (in the shape of a box, right and left sides) | |||
| Body rolls (starting from the top of the head to the bottom) | |||
| Body rolls (starting from feet to your head) | |||
| Stretch | stretch wrists/shoulders | ||
| Straddle and pike, reaching for toes | |||
| Cobra stretch | |||
| En Centre | Dance warmup | Hip shakes 2 x 8 counts | Choose 4-5 moves to repeat in a sequence, play a hype song and have students follow along |
| snakes 2 x 8 counts | |||
| Grape vines 4 x 8 counts | |||
| 3 step turns 4 x 8 counts | |||
| Box /cross step (right and left sides) | |||
| Body rolls (top-bottom, bottom-up) | |||
| Box step | Break down skill altogether | ||
| 6-8 times slow, 6-8 times quicker | |||
| repeat right and left sides | |||
| Handstand hops | place hands and feet on 1 side of the dot and jump with your feet together, landing on the other side of the dot | not kicking up to a full handstand, just tucking your knees in and landing with them together | |
| Focus on shoulder strength and getting hips over the shoulders | |||
| Across the Floor | Strut walk | Lay out 1 dot at the end of the room and have students line up on other end | |
| Students will “strut” to the dot and strike 3 poses | |||
| Strut back to the line | |||
| Can repeat with students “strutting” sideways or backwards instead | |||
| 3 step turns | 4 times half time, 4 times double time | ||
| repeat right and left sides. | |||
| Fun activity: Structured improv | Choose an adjective and have the kids structure their improv around it. | structure your improv around the focus of the class. For example, this class worked on isolations, body rolls, and floor work | |
| Examples: sharp, groovy, hype, controlled, etc. | |||
| Every 30-45 sec, pause the song and choose a new word | |||
Lesson Leap 
Leave a comment