Lesson Plan: Waltz of the Flowers

This lesson can be used for a wide range of ages and abilities. It may also be adjusted to fit a variety of classroom goals and settings. It explores measure groupings of 3’s and 4’s. Enjoy and please feel free to make it your own!

Activity 1: Walks & Bows

“Show me how you take a bow.” 

The class all bows. Notice the variation of response. For example, are arms hanging loosely at their sides? Or is one arm at their waist? Invite individual students to show their way of bowing. The group tries various possibilities.

“Walk with the music, bow when the music tells you to take a bow. Look around and make eye contact with a classmate as you bow.” 

Improvise walking music on the piano (or you may also use a hand drum). Use the following rhythms to indicate bowing:

Continued

Lesson Sections:

  1. Activity 1: Walks & Bows
  2. Activity 2: Let’s Swing and Waltz
  3. Activity 3: Plastique Animée / Waltz of the Flowers

This lesson was originally published in the “American Dalcroze Journal” Vol. 37, No. 2.

Members of the Dalcroze Society of America can read and download this full lesson plan online. Not a member? Join instantly online.

About Melissa Tucker

Melissa Tucker teaches eurhythmics and improvisation at the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, MA. An Oberlin graduate, Ms. Tucker earned her Dalcroze Certificate and License at Longy with Lisa Parker and Anne Farber. She has taught Dalcroze workshops and classes for students of all ages throughout New England including: The Boston Symphony Outreach program, New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Emmanuel Church, Community MusicWorks in Providence, Rhode Island and The University of Connecticut.

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