TAP LESSON PLANSDo you believe in magic? The amazed and joyful looks on your students' faces, the first time they hear the sounds that their shoes can make -- that's magic!
The Dance Dance Hooray tap lesson plans for ages 3-5 and ages 5-7 make it easy for teachers to sprinkle a little MAGIC into every class, by taking out the guesswork of what to teach when, and by giving you a framework to break the steps down in a playful and manageable way. Engaging themes help to tap into imagination while also working on the tap skills, motor tools, rhythm patterns, and musicality that you want your dancers to learn. They are designed to step-up with your dancers, as the school-year dance season progresses. These lesson plans include the tried-and-true exercises I have used and developed over the past 25 years of teaching tap to students of all ages. |
Each lesson plan includes:
|
7-DAY FREE ACCESS TO TRY THE TAP LESSON PLANS
BEE-BOPPIN' BUGS lesson plan for ages 3-5
Lesson 10 in the school-year system try today for FREE! |
BEE-BOPPIN' BUGS lesson plan for ages 5-7
Lesson 10 in the school-year system try today for FREE! |
Our tap shoes make rhythms, and so does nature! Can our feet make music like a cricket? Can our feet wiggle like a worm? Float like a butterfly? This lesson plan explores tap fundamentals and progressing skills, and will have them buzzing with fun!
Professional photography by KT Miller Photography
|
MAKE THE MIX THAT WORKS FOR YOUThe A Little Bit Of Tap Dance Magic tap lesson plans fit together as a system, but they can also fit seamlessly into your current curriculum as a way to refresh or reset your routine. The lesson plans leave room for your own voice as a teacher.
They are created to follow the school-year-cycle in a cumulative way, and are available individually as well as a part of a membership. Check them out below! Click each picture to purchase. |
Back-To-Dance Lesson Plans (August, September)
|
MY FIRST TAP CLASS LESSON PLAN for ages 3-5
Start here! This lesson plan is perfect for the first few weeks of tap class, whether you have a group of brand new tap dancers, or a group of preschool tappers coming back for their second year. This lesson uses the concept of Magic Tap Shoes to teach the dancers about the different parts of their shoe, about the sounds we can make, as well as how to play with volume and speed! |
RHYMES & RHYTHMS Lesson for ages 3-5
Lesson 1 in the system |
RHYMES & RHYTHMS Lesson for ages 5-7
Lesson 1 in the system |
This fun lesson plan plays with nursery rhymes, hand-clapping patterns, and well-loved songs to help the tap dancers work on the building block tap steps and skills. Each lesson plan is geared towards the specific age group (3-5 or 5-7) but they are compatible; tap teachers who work with both ages groups will see the intersection of skills and how the lesson for ages 3-5 translates to the skills needed for the plans for the older set of students.
TAP DANCE PLAYGROUND Lesson for 3-5
Lesson 2 in the system |
TAP DANCE PLAYGROUND Lesson for 5-7
Lesson 2 in the system |
Explore tap concepts, skills, clarity & rhythm through the lens of imagination! Pretend to swing, hula hoop, jump rope, rollerskate & more. Each lesson plan is geared towards the specific age group (3-5 or 5-7) but they are compatible; tap teachers who work with both ages groups will see the intersection of skills and how the lesson for ages 3-5 translates to the skills needed for the plans for the older set of students.
TAP ABC'S & 123's Lesson for ages 3-5
Lesson 1 or 2 alternate |
TAP ABC'S & 123's Lesson for ages 5-7
Lesson 1 or 2 alternate |
Tap dance your way through the alphabet with this foundational tap lesson plan! Your dancers will work on their tap ABC’s – Action, Balance, and obstacle Course! This back-to-dance lesson plan teaches skills through patterns, rhythm, and fun! Each lesson plan is geared towards the specific age group (3-5 or 5-7) but they are compatible; tap teachers who work with both ages groups will see the intersection of skills and how the lesson for ages 3-5 translates to the skills needed for the plans for the older set of students.
Fall Theme Lessons (October, November)
FALLING LEAVES & APPLE TREES (age 3-5)
Lesson 3 in the system |
FALLING LEAVES & APPLE TREES (age 5-7)
Lesson 3 in the system |
Apples, pumpkins, and leaves -- this magical fall theme will teach tap skills & rhythms in a memorable and immersive way! Each lesson plan is geared towards the specific age group (3-5 or 5-7) but they are compatible; tap teachers who work with both ages groups will see the intersection of skills and how the lesson for ages 3-5 translates to the skills needed for the plans for the older set of students.
SHAKE, RATTLE, & ROLL (for ages 3-5)
Halloween Theme Mini Lesson |
SHAKE, RATTLE, & ROLL (for ages 5-7)
Halloween Theme Mini Lesson |
This lesson is a Halloween-themed tap MINI lesson, meant for 1-2 weeks of class! Shake, rattle, and roll like a skeleton as you wiggle and wobble with tap skills and foundational concepts.
SILLY TAP DANCE TURKEYS (for ages 3-5)
Lesson 4 in the system |
SILLY TAP DANCE TURKEYS (for ages 5-7)
Lesson 4 in the system |
Tap dance your way into imagination & technique! This lesson theme is focused around the idea of a special occasion dinner or Thanksgiving, with building block skills in tap vocabulary, timing, & musicality.
DOWN ON THE FARM (for ages 3-5)
Lesson 3 or 4 alternate |
DOWN ON THE FARM (for ages 5-7)
Lesson 3 or 4 alternate |
Get your on tap-dancin' cowboy boots - it's time to dance on the farm! These tap lesson plans will have your students working on coordination, clarity, and crisp tap sounds as they dust off their boots and brush up on technique!
Winter Theme Lessons (December, January, February)
WINTER WONDERLAND (for ages 3-5)
Lesson 5 in the system |
WINTER WONDERLAND (for ages 5-7)
Lesson 5 in the system |
Get ready to have SNOW MUCH FUN with this tap lesson! Work on structured skills and rhythmic concepts, through the lens of all things winter -- ice skating, snowballs, snowmen, and much more.
NUTS ABOUT TAP (for ages 3-5)
Nutcracker Theme Tap Lesson |
NUTS ABOUT TAP (for ages 5-7)
Nutcracker Theme Tap Lesson |
The Nutcracker tradition -- but made for tap class! Teach skills and musicality, while pretending to be Nutcracker soldiers, Sugar Tap Fairies, and more!
POLAR PENGUINS (for ages 3-5)
Lesson 6 in the system |
POLAR PENGUINS (for ages 5-7)
Lesson 6 in the system |
Slip, slide, and shuffle like a tap-dancing penguin! In this, the 6th lesson in the school-year system, the dancers will work on mastering movement milestones, tap skills and rhythmic fluency with their pretend penguin pals!
SECRET SNOWMAN (for ages 3-5)
Lesson 5 or 6 alternate This little snowman has a secret.......it wants to be a tap dancer! In this joyful lesson plan, the dancers will help the snowman get ready for the stage by practicing patterns, tap skills, musicality and more. Let's dance in the snow!
|
SECRET SNOWMAN (for ages 5-7)
Lesson 5 or 6 alternate In this snowy lesson, the dancers will solve the Secret Snowman's funny riddles through dance! Filled with skill combos and rhythmic exercises designed for budding tap dancers, this lesson plan checks all the boxes for learning and silly snowman fun.
|
TRULY LOVE TAP (for ages 3-5)
Lesson 7 in the system |
TRULY LOVE TAP (for ages 5-7)
Lesson 7 in the system |
Tap dance friends are the best friends! In this lesson, the students will use familiar songs about love & friendship to embody rhythmic patterns while gaining clarity in their tap skills! Heartbeat, friendship flap, paradiddle pals & more! This lesson spreads the tap love! The dancers will work on clarifying foundational steps and will be challenged with new and rhythmic patterns!
Spring Theme Lessons (March, April, May)
ANIMAL FEET (for ages 3-5)
Lesson 8 in the system |
GIRAFFES THAT DANCE! (for ages 5-7)
Lesson 8 in the system |
Inspired by the book Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig, the Animal Feet tap lesson plan for ages 3-5 takes the dancers on a trip to the zoo, exploring the sounds that different animals make with their feet! The dancers will build on their tap & musicality skills too! The Giraffes That Dance tap lesson plan for ages 5-7 is inspired by the book Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae. Take your tap students through the story, all while brushing up on technique, increasing their understanding of tap rhythms, and nurturing their creativity!
COLORFUL CRAYON BOX (ages 3-5)
Lesson 8 or 9 alternate |
COLORFUL CRAYON BOX (ages 5-7)
Lesson 8 or 9 alternate |
Color your world with rhythm! Using fun and engaging color-themed exercises, your students will build tap skills and rhythmic fluency. Support growth and creativity with this bright and happy lesson plan designed for ages 3-5 or 5-7!
RAINY DAY RHYTHMS (ages 3-5)
Lesson 9 in the system |
RAINY DAY RHYTHMS (ages 5-7)
Lesson 9 in the system |
Tippity-tap and splish splash through the rain puddles with Rainy Day Rhythms! These lesson plans for ages 3-5 and 5-7 help your students to sharpen their tap technique, with a focus on traveling steps and differing dynamics. They will have your students feeling joyful as they tap dance through the rain and gain even more control and clarity!
|
BEE-BOPPIN' BUGS lesson plan for ages 3-5
Lesson 10 in the school-year system try today for FREE! |
BEE-BOPPIN' BUGS lesson plan for ages 5-7
Lesson 10 in the school-year system try today for FREE! |
Our tap shoes make rhythms, and so does nature! Can our feet make music like a cricket? Can our feet wiggle like a worm? Float like a butterfly? This lesson plan explores tap fundamentals and progressing skills, and will have them buzzing with fun!
Summer Lessons - or any time of year! (June, July)
|
TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC TAP LESSON for ages 3-5
Learn tap concepts & skills, while dancing with your teddy bear! Make "rhythm sandwiches" and take a hike to the perfect tap picnic spot! This lesson plan is for ages 3-5 and is a perfect complement to your curriculum, any time of year. |
UNDER THE SEA lesson for ages 3-5
Lesson 11 in the system |
UNDER THE SEA lesson for ages 5-7
Lesson 11 in the system |
Take your dancers on an ocean adventure, with their tap shoes! Rock like a boat, do the stingray shuffle & go fishing too! Make footprints on the beach, “swim” across the floor, & sail off to sea, with your taps! These lessons includes tap skill exercises for isolating sounds, and using directional movement & rhythmic patterns, as well as foundational tap vocabulary.
WHAT'S COOKING lesson for ages 3-5
Lesson 12 in the system |
WHAT'S COOKING lesson for ages 5-7
Lesson 12 in the system |
What kind of rhythms can we cook up? Engage in imaginative restaurant play, while working on tap skill exercises for quiet vs. loud, rhythmic patterning, proper technique, musicality, and building block tap step vocabulary.
SAVINGS ALERT!
Save more than 50% on your tap lesson plan purchases by becoming a MEMBER! Get access to the full school-year SYSTEM of tap lesson plans, for ages 3-5 and 5-7!
Each lesson plan can be used on its own, as well as be used cumulatively to create a system of learning for your students. It's tap class reimagined, with the use of imagination & fun to keep the dancers engaged during review, repetition, and fresh learning. Get 2 lessons per month (one each for age 3-5 & 5-7) for just $29/month!
Each lesson plan can be used on its own, as well as be used cumulatively to create a system of learning for your students. It's tap class reimagined, with the use of imagination & fun to keep the dancers engaged during review, repetition, and fresh learning. Get 2 lessons per month (one each for age 3-5 & 5-7) for just $29/month!
