I chose the theme of ‘Dinosaurs’ to explore through song and dance for early years and first level. This theme allows for lots of big movement and positions for the children to learn and move to. Being able to create big movements will make the learning more memorable, active and engaging for the children.

I found a suitable song about dinosaurs to use to choreograph the dance to. The song lyrics speak about different dinosaurs and tells the children facts about each one too, which helps the children learn facts and knowledge as they are dancing.

I choreographed a dance piece to the music, matching up the lyrics to the movements.

“Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs. Can you hear their fearsome rawrs?” Marching on the spot and a big RAWR! at the end using hands as claws.

“Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Coming from the muddy swamp.” Clap hands 4 times and crouch down to the ground in frog position.

“Come on everyone let’s RAWR!” Change position with a partner whilst RAWRing.

“Stamping feet. Stamping feet. Tyrannosaurus is looking for meat. He’s very tall, with great big jaws, little hands and sharp sharp claws.” Stamp feet 6 times as gradually rising. Bend down and look from left to right with hands like binoculars. Jump up as tall as you can reach. Snap arms like a crocodile. Wave hands and scratch forward 3 times.

“Stretching tall. Stretching tall. Brachiosaurus stretching tall. Brachiosaurus was never small. Long neck reached the highest plants and weight more than 14 elephants.” Stand as tall as possible on tip toes with one arm in air with hand like a floppy head. Jump down into frog position. Reach one arm from side to side making a snapping motion with hand. Everyone run into middle on room to make a huddle.

“Flapping wings. Flapping wings. Pterodactyles were such funny things. With little hands and little feet and a big great beak to catch fish to eat.” Arms out to side and flap them like a bird as you move back into a space. Pretend to giggle with one hand over stomach and one over mouth. Wave hands. Tap each foot forward, one at a time. Snap arms like a crocodile. 

“Swinging tails. Swinging tails. Stegosaurus had some spiny scales, all along his high arched back he was ready for attack. Turn back to front and swing arm behind like a tail. Step turn step. Down on all fours. Pull an attacking face!

“Paddling flippers. Paddling flippers. Plesiosaurus couldn’t wear slippers for he lived in the sea not on the land and he berried his eggs, guess where, in the sand”. Move arms around in a swimming motion moving to the right then to the left. Sit down with legs in front and tap sides of feet together 2 times. Pencil roll from right to left.

“Ready to charge. Ready to charge. Triceratops is looking rather large. Horns on his head and horn on his snout. Might just catch you so watch out.” Stand up and run backwards then forward using arms in a running motion. Make a stretched arms and legs out to sides, one limb at a time (4). Make horns out of hands on head and nose. Grapevine movement right and left while grabbing on arm out right then left.

“Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs. Can you hear their fearsome rawrs?” Marching on the spot and a big RAWR! at the end using hands as claws.

“Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Coming from the muddy swamp.” Clap hands 4 times and crouch down to the ground in frog position.

“Quick run away!!” Run off stage.

I picked the story ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’. When doing this lesson with a class it is best to pick story’s that the children already know so it is more motivating and meaningful for the children. Also try and pick a story that something exciting happens in it.

I scanned through the book and then picked instruments and sound effects we thought would suit the different movements and words in the book.

We used drums, rain makers, metal triangles, tambourines and wooden instruments.

We then practiced narrating the book and adding the sounds to the correct parts and then recorded the whole thing. Here is the results:

I really enjoyed this TDT and it really made me think how language can be linked to music. It had inspired me to try this in my class in the future.