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NYS-Aligned Classroom Resource
NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017)
Arts Grade 4 3-5 Lesson Plan

Moving with Meaning: Choreographing with the Elements of Dance

Duration: 45 minutes · NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017)

Alignment Record

Built from publicly available New York State standards. Standard codes cited from official NYSED sources.

DA:Cr1.1.4b
Develop a movement that expresses a personal experience, feeling, or idea, clarifying the relationship between intent and movement.
Source: NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017), Dance, Creating, Anchor Standard 1, Grade 4 — nysed.gov
DA:Cr2.1.4a
Identify and experiment with choreographic devices to create simple movement patterns and dance structures.
Source: NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017), Dance, Creating, Anchor Standard 2, Grade 4 — nysed.gov
Confidence: High Confidence Automated validation + founder oversight
#grade 4#arts#dance#choreography#elements of dance#NYS arts standards#3-5 dance#SDI#MLL
Classroom use case

Use this resource for classroom instruction, small-group support, intervention, enrichment, independent practice, or planning support. Preview the alignment record before choosing whether to spend your signup credit.

Preview content
  • Lesson Plan for Grade 4 Arts
  • NYS framework label: NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017)
  • Primary standard: DA:Cr1.1.4b

Moving with Meaning: Choreographing with the Elements of Dance

Grade 4 · Dance · NYS Arts Standards DA:Cr1.1.4b / DA:Cr2.1.4a · 45 Minutes

NYS-Aligned Standards

DA:Cr1.1.4b — Develop movement that expresses an idea or feeling, connecting intent and movement. DA:Cr2.1.4a — Experiment with choreographic devices to create simple movement patterns. NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017), Dance

Learning Objectives — “I Can” Statements

  • I can use the elements of dance — body, action, space, time, energy (BASTE) — to create movement.
  • I can choreograph a short sequence that expresses an idea or feeling.
  • I can use a choreographic device such as repetition or contrast.

Essential Question

How can movement alone — without words — express a feeling or tell an idea?

Lesson Sequence

Warm-Up (8 min)

Guided movement exploration of the elements: change space (high/low), time (fast/slow), and energy (smooth/sharp). Students mirror the teacher, then improvise.

Direct Instruction (10 min)

  1. Introduce BASTE elements with a quick demo of each.
  2. Introduce two choreographic devices: repetition (repeat a move) and contrast (pair opposite moves).
  3. Show how a feeling (e.g., “excitement”) can be shown through fast, sharp, high movement.

Guided Practice (15 min)

In trios, students choose a feeling or idea, then build a 4-move sequence using at least two BASTE elements and one device. Teacher circulates with feedback questions: “What element are you changing? How does it show your idea?”

Sharing & Reflection (8 min)

Groups perform; audience names the element and feeling they observed.

Closure (4 min)

Reflect: “Which element best expressed your idea, and why?”

SDI & Differentiation Block

Supports for MLLs/ELLs

Entering/Emerging (NYSESLAT Levels 1–2):

  • Element picture cards with motion icons (high/low, fast/slow)
  • Demonstrate rather than explain; allow nonverbal participation

Transitioning/Expanding (NYSESLAT Levels 3–4):

  • Vocabulary with gestures: space, time, energy, repetition, contrast
  • Sentence frame: “My dance shows ___ by moving ___.”

Supports for Students with IEPs

SDI Adaptation Dimensions: content, methodology, delivery

  • Content: Use two elements and a 2-move sequence; provide a feeling choice menu
  • Methodology: Teacher-led mirroring; seated or adapted movement options
  • Delivery: Allow movement from a chair or with mobility supports; alternative roles (counting beats, cueing) for students who prefer not to perform

Suggested Placement: ICT, Resource Room; adapt all movement to student mobility and IEP needs

Teacher Notes

Reinforce that there is no single “correct” choreography — assessment is based on intentional use of elements and a clear connection between intent and movement.

Alignment Record

FieldValue
Standard CodesDA:Cr1.1.4b; DA:Cr2.1.4a
FrameworkNYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017), Dance
Sourcenysed.gov — NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017)
ConfidenceHigh Confidence
Validation NotesCodes follow the NYS Arts (2017) dance structure (Creating; Anchor Standards 1 and 2; grade-4 enumeration), adopted from the National Core Arts Standards. BASTE elements and choreographic devices (repetition, contrast) are grade-appropriate dance content.
Why teachers can trust this resource
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Original resource
Created as an original instructional support — not copied from marketplace content.
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Built from publicly available NYS standards
Standard codes and text sourced from NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017) — a publicly available official framework.
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Validated for classroom use
Checked for instructional clarity, classroom usability, and standards connection through automated validation and founder oversight.
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Alignment notes included
The alignment record above explains how this resource connects to the relevant NYS framework, with the exact standard code and source.
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Designed for classroom use
Supports whole-class instruction, small-group work, intervention, enrichment, independent practice, and planning support.
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No student data required
Teachers download and use this resource without entering student personally identifiable information.
Resource ID: SC-058 · StandardCraft NYS Resource Library v1.0
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Independence notice: StandardCraft is an independent resource platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). This resource is original content aligned to publicly available NYS standards. It is designed to support classroom planning and instruction and does not replace district curriculum, school-approved instructional programs, or teacher professional judgment.
StandardCraft — Original, educator-built resource aligned to publicly available NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (2017). Resource ID SC-058. Standard codes are cited from official NYSED sources. StandardCraft is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). This resource supports — and does not replace — district curriculum, school-approved instructional programs, or teacher professional judgment.