School Residencies SAMPLE LESSON PLAN © 2003 Ann Biddle. All Rights Reserved Title: Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain Grade Level: K - 2 Content Area: Movement/ Language Arts GOALS/OBJECTIVES: To introduce students to the customs of the Nandi tribe of Kenya. To create a movement sentence based on the East African story, Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema. MATERIALS/MUSIC: Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema West African music African cloth & instruments INTRODUCTION/WARM-UP: Focusing warm-up & introduction. Children can begin in a circle then go to mats for warm-up. Today we are going to create a dance based on this book. Begin with a general dance warm-up emphasizing key concepts of the movement sentences. Review story with students (ask classroom teacher to read the story to class prior to dance class). Describe East Africa's terrain and climate. How does it differ from our country? Give a brief description of the lifestyle of the Nandi tribe in Kenya. Discuss the elements of the story. What animals lived on the plain? Why were the cows hungry? What did Ki-pat do to end the drought? PRESENTATION OF PROBLEM/THEME: Re-introduce story: Ki-pat wants to help bring the drought to an end. He stands out on the plain watching all of the animals pass. He is a shepherd and stands silently on one leg balancing with his staff. Demonstrate. Who can stand like Ki-pat. Practice balancing on different body parts. See how still and quite you can make your body. Concentrate. Imagine you are looking over the Kapiti plain. What do you see? Stand tall and very proud. Explore movement for the following movement sentences. DEVELOPMENT/ELABORATION: Develop movement sentences: Ki-pat: balance on one leg + skip + balance on the other leg + skip + 3 sharp shapes/jumps to sky Eagle: soar + dip + perch Arrow: jabbing motions with hands together - run - leap Thunder/lightning: rolling arms + 3 strong shapes + sharp shapes + 3 sharp jumps Grass: curled up shape + grow + sway CULMINATION/SHARING/EVALUATION: Guide class through entire dance, which can begin or end with the rain circle. RELAXATION/ENDING THE LESSON: Lie on backs and breath deeply. Close your eyes. Imagine you are lying on the new grass of the Kapiti plain. Feel the grass tickle your backs. Feel the warmth of the sun on your faces. Smell the sweet fragrances of flowers and grass. Listen to the distant drums from the village. Breathe deeply and feel your whole body relax.