• For Dance Studio Teachers
    • Creative Movement
    • Dance Games
    • Playlists
    • Technique Classes
    • What can a 3 year old do?
  • For School Teachers
    • Dance in School
    • Integrating Dance with Common Core Standards
  • For Fitness Instructors
    • All Fitness Related Posts
    • Playlists
    • Workout of the Week
  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

Teacher Twists

resources for teachers who move

  • Dance for the Littles
    • Animal Conditioning
    • Late Last Night
    • Lesson Plans
      • ABC’s Class
      • Dancing a Book About Beetles: Beetle Bop
      • Dinosaurumpus!
      • Follow the Leader
      • Harold and the Purple Crayon
      • Hilda Must Be Dancing
      • Love and Valentines
      • Snowmen at Night!
      • The Gingerbread Man
      • The Mitten
      • The Rainbow Fish
      • The Snowy Day
      • Dancing a Book About Lines: The Straight Line Wonder
      • Under the Sea
    • Movement Rhymes
    • Superheroes!
    • The Best Props for Dance Class
    • Teaching Ballet Positions
    • The Balloon Game
    • The Goldfish Song
    • What can a 3 year old do?
  • Technique Class
    • Class Format
    • Getting Creative with Composition
      • Chicken in a Hen House
      • Secret Agents
      • The Body Parts Shape Game
      • The Dice Game
      • The Name Game
      • The Pilobolus Alphabet
    • Across the Floor Sequence
    • The Best Props for Dance Class
  • Elementary School
    • 8 Tips for Teaching Dance
    • Dance in School Idea Brainstorm
    • Integrating Dance with Common Core Standards
    • Let’s Dance: Greek and Latin Affixes and Roots
    • Let’s Dance: Pueblo Native Americans
    • Let’s Dance: Winter Weather Patterns
  • Music
    • Music for Ages 6-12
    • Creative Movement Music
    • Fitness Music
  • Fitness
    • Music for Fitness Classes
    • Workout of the Week
Animal Conditioning

Animal Conditioning

After warm-up in my preschool gymnastics classes (and sometimes in dance, too), I do a conditioning portion of class.  One of our all-time favorites is "Animal Conditioning.  Each animal has a picture in my bag.  One at a time, students pick a picture out of my bag and we do that animal's movement across the floor.  I usually say, … [Read More...]

Lesson Plans

Hilda Must Be Dancing

Hilda Must Be Dancing

  Book lesson plans are some of my very favorites.  There's no hanging up visual aids, you get to have a little downtime during class, and the students get … [Read More...]

Love and Valentines

Love and Valentines

I love dance.  I love teaching.  And I LOVE my students!  As I pulled this lesson out to put it up on the blog, this valentine from last year fell out. Happy smiles! … [Read More...]

Let’s Dance: Winter Weather Patterns

Let’s Dance: Winter Weather Patterns

  It's COOOOLD outside.  This is how my trees were looking this past weekend.  YUCK!  But, fortunately for us, winter weather does have it's upsides.  It … [Read More...]

Dance Games

The Dice Game

The Dice Game

  The dice game is one of my favorite games.  It is one of those tricks up my sleeve that I pull out if … [Read More...]

Secret Agents

Secret Agents

Some dear friends in college taught me this variation on The Dice Game.  It's a great way to involve boys and unwilling … [Read More...]

Fitness

Workout of the Week – Leg Day (SQUATS!!!)

Workout of the Week – Leg Day (SQUATS!!!)

I was asked for a legs day...so here you go!  Do the whole set 2x through.  It should take you roughly 45-55 minutes. … [Read More...]

Workout of the Week – Pick 3 Body Parts

Workout of the Week – Pick 3 Body Parts

  This week's workout is pretty flexible!  Pick your three areas to work on, and go for it!  It was really hard … [Read More...]

Connect with us online

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Featured Lesson Plan

Safari Theme Mommy and Me Dance Class

Safari Theme Mommy and Me Dance Class

Mommy and me dance classes!  They're so hard and so simple.  I am always nervous because the moms are in the room.  But, those 18 month old dancers … [Read More...]

A Little About Me

I am a teacher, dancer, runner, fitness instructor, choreographer, musician, wife, and mother to two wonderful children! I love to teach creatively and am excited to share my ideas with you!

Read About

Books bootcamp burpees cardio coloring pages creative movement creative thinking cross-curricular dance blast dance camp games dance in school fitness music games great songs gymnastics holidays mommy and me obstacle course preschool dance pushups rhymes seniors fitness shape games silver sneakers studio dance summer dance day technique classes weighted workout zumba

Recent Posts

  • Dancing at the Beach – a Summer Dance Camp Day
  • Workout of the Week – Hill Training
  • Safari Theme Mommy and Me Dance Class
  • Workout of the Week – 40 Minute AMRAP: As Many Rounds As Possible
  • Shapes Day Dance Class with Skippyjon Jones!

Copyright © 2026 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in