Arctic Animal Songs for Creative Dance are a great way to get your students learning about animals and creating movement based on them. I look forward to implementing these songs every winter in my creative movement classes! I introduce the animals by showing pictures and videos of each animal. This gets my dancers more excited, and we jump into movement!
Here is a list of some of my favorite songs to use and movement to pair with each one:
Stretching with Sleep Polar Bears- Andrew Holdsworth
For this song dancers are guided through various yoga poses where we pretend to be polar bears and seals. We use cat/cow movements to stretch our polar bear backs and then turn into seals to go for a swim in cobra pose.
A Polar Bear Called Pete- Songs for Kids
This song is typically a transition to standing for us and we practice various balance poses.
Oso Polar- Pinkfong
This song is faster paced, and I use it to get my students jumping and hopping in place. We practice staying in our spot while jumping side to side, forward and backward and then in quarters to face different parts of the room.
Clapping with Sally the Seal- Andrew Holdsworth
This song gives the students different rhythms to copy. The students really enjoy it, and we make it a game to make sure we are really quiet when it’s “Sally the Seals” turn versus our turn.
Penguin Dance- Schiffie,Co
This song has fun prompts with a silly dance and the students enjoy laughing and getting their giggles and wiggles out.
Penguin With a Funky Shoe- Parry Gripp
During class I typically set up an obstacle course and students work on locomotor movements as penguins. We swim, waddle, slide, and glide like penguins around the room.
Narwhals Are Awesome- JellyBug
Students get the chance to learn about narwhals! We look at pictures of narwhals and then we play a swim and dance game using high, medium, and low levels.
The Ice- Polar Animals- Lingokids
This song sings about a penguin, seal, and polar bear. We change our movement to fit each animal and the action they are taking.
To go along with the Arctic Animals Songs for Creative Movement I have created a set of Arctic Animal Worksheets. The pack consists of a matching worksheet, pathway tracing, writing, and 4 movement cards. If you are interested in more winter themed songs click here!
