Warm Up

10 minutes

Welcome

• Begin seated in a circle. Introduce yourself, welcome each dancer, begin to learn each participants’ name and use them throughout the activity.

Scripture – Isaiah 55:8-9

• “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

• Think about this scripture as we dance today and we’ll talk about it more after we move a bit.

Scales and Locomotor Levels

• Introduce the dance concept Levels: High, Middle, and Low. We can move in many ways on different levels. Practice moving different body parts at each level.
• Move your body to the rise and fall of the music. As the notes get higher, move at a high level; as the notes get lower, move down low. Try to stay with the music as it goes up and down! (Use suggested song or play a scale with a recorder, slide whistle or piano if available; go up and down several times)
• Now try locomoting through the space at each level. Use scales again to inform dancers which level to move or direct dancers when to change levels with a different cue. Be sure to give time for each high, middle, and low.

Discuss – Which level did you enjoy moving at most (High, Middle, Low)? What is challenging and enjoyable at each level?

Explore Concept

15 minutes

Loud and Soft, High and Low

• Follow the music as we continue to explore levels. When the music is loud, dance at a high level. When the music is soft, dance at a low level. Dance in the middle when the music is normal. Use any song and change the volume every 20 seconds or so to begin, then more or less often depending on dancers’ readiness. 
• Now try dancing the opposite way: when the music is loud, dance at a low level; when the music is soft, dance at a high level; when it is normal, dance at any level.
• Discuss – Which level music made you want to dance at a high level? Which at a low level? (feelings will vary) Consider discussing that we react to music (and revelation and the Gospel, etc.) in different ways because we are individuals with unique perspectives and experiences. 

Level Boogie

• Find a partner. Dance any way you’d like around each other but your heads can never be at the same level. You will need to watch each other the whole time. Try to trick your partner with your level changes and try not to get tricked with theirs! (This can also be done with a leader in small groups or as one group altogether for very young dancers) 

Discuss – How did you not get tricked with the changing levels?

Create

10 minutes

ABC Dance

• Each dancer creates a dance with three parts: High, Middle, Low movement in whichever order they choose. Set a clear beginning shape and ending shape too. 
• Dancers perform for each other. This can be as solos, in small groups, or half and half depending on space available, dancers’ experience, and time restraints.

Cool Down

5 minutes

Stretch and Discuss Connections

• Gather and sit in a circle. Encourage dancers to stretch while discussing the questions or lead them in a stretch while discussing together. Here are some question ideas:

• How did moving today relate to the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
• What new insights did exploring Levels bring?
• Reread the scripture – Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

• What is challenging about striving to have an eternal perspective? How can we overcome those challenges and stay true to Him?