• TRAINING TOOLKIT
• GUIDES
• LESSON PLANS
• TRAINING SERVICES
• OTHER RESOURCES

Afterschool Lesson Plan Database

Lesson Plan

This lesson was excerpted from the Afterschool Training Toolkit under the promising practice: Involving Families and Communities

Description:

This lesson is one example of how you can implement the practice of Involving Families and Communities. In this activity, you will organize a cultural dance festival to help students and parents learn more about the dances of various cultures.

Learning Goals:

• Learn about the dances of various cultures
• Involve parents and community members in afterschool learning

Materials:

• Audio/visual equipment (varies by performance)
• Materials for creating flyers and posters (poster board, markers, computer)
• Materials for decorating performance space

Preparation:

• Consider your resources (budget, volunteers, etc.). Choose a theme for your music festival, keeping in mind the cultures that are important to your students. For example:
  • Today Is World Dance Day (April 29)
  • Mi Mundo Merengue: A Celebration of Latin-American Dance
  • Festival of Family Folk Dances
  • The Big Blue Ballroom: A Celebration of World Dance
• Gather and identify a group of parent volunteers and community members to help plan the event.
• Identify and assign tasks (recruitment, logistics, festival publicity, etc.).
• Recruit parents and community members to share and perform folk music related to their particular cultures.
• Prepare a detailed schedule, agenda, and active contact sheet for the performers.
• Reserve the necessary space and equipment for the selected date.

What to Do:

• Set up performance/booth areas as needed.
• Welcome parents/volunteers and direct them to the appropriate locations.
• Oversee, coordinate, and introduce the performances and demonstrations as needed.
• Thank all volunteers, participants, and guests.
• Break down performance/booth areas.
• Evaluate the event (optional).

Evaluate (Outcomes to look for):

• Parent and student participation and involvement
• Student participation in various dance activities
• Students' learning about and appreciating the dances of various cultures
• Performances that honor the dances of various cultures

Standards:
Click this link to see additional learning goals, grade-level benchmarks, and standards covered in this lesson.