Dance Lesson Inspired by Grandma Moses: Over the River to Grandmother’s House on Thanksgiving Day

If you’re looking for a cozy, story-filled dance lesson to use in November, this one’s a perfect fit! Inspired by Grandma Moses’ charming painting Over the River to Grandmother’s House on Thanksgiving Day, this activity blends art, storytelling, and movement to help your dancers explore the magic of travel, family, and tradition through dance.

This lesson touches on all four national dance standards—Create, Perform, Respond, and Connect—and works beautifully for elementary and early middle school students.

Start with the Artwork

Begin class by sharing a picture of Grandma Moses’ painting (we’ve included it in your free printable pack!). Take a few minutes to observe and discuss the details together:

• What’s happening in the scene?

• What season is it?

• How might it feel to be one of the people traveling through the snow?

Encourage dancers to imagine what sounds they might hear, what textures they might feel, and what emotions might come up on the journey to Grandmother’s house.

Create & Perform

Next, bring the painting to life through movement! Use the included Painting-Inspired Movement Cards to spark ideas. Each card represents something from the artwork—like “Crossing the Bridge,” “Snow Falling,” or “Family Hug.”

Have dancers explore these ideas with different levels, tempos, and qualities of movement. They can experiment alone, in pairs, or in small groups to create short “journey dances.”

Once phrases are created, have groups combine them into one big story dance that shows the adventure from start to finish. Encourage dancers to use their faces and posture to express excitement, warmth, and connection—the same feelings that make Grandma Moses’ work so special.

Respond & Connect

After performing, gather your students in a circle for reflection. Ask:

• What part of the painting inspired your movement most?

• How did your group show the feeling of travel or family reunion?

• What did you notice about how others interpreted the scene?

Then, use the Reflection Worksheet from your freebie pack to guide students in writing or drawing their answers. This gives them time to think deeply and make artistic connections.

Bringing It Home: Family Traditions

Finish class with a personal connection! Using the Family Tradition Brainstorming Worksheet, have students think about a special tradition, celebration, or journey their family takes. They can share these ideas verbally or through a short movement phrase that represents their story.

This activity is a beautiful way to help dancers see how art—whether painted or danced—can tell the story of our lives and connect us to one another.

Free Printable Resources Included:

• Artwork Visual of Over the River to Grandmother’s House on Thanksgiving Day

• Painting-Inspired Movement Cards

• Reflection Worksheet

• Family Tradition Brainstorming Worksheet

This gentle, heartwarming lesson is perfect for November and brings art and movement together in a meaningful, memorable way.

Keep dancing friend!

-Whitney