Darla Hanley's Music Room
Creative Teaching for Students of Today (& Tomorrow) PK-8
Today’s Teaching Strategy: 1939 Walk on Home
(Dance)
Elementary (3-4)
© 2025 Darla S. Hanley
This teaching strategy is all about feeling the music and moving throughout the entire music room! It goes with “Flying Home” by the Benny Goodman Sextet from 1939 because it’s a perfect track for this locomotor follow-the-leader dance…and it’s Benny Goodman!
This track is available on multiple streaming audio platforms. (Like many of my teaching strategies, you should feel free to find other audio tracks to anchor the learning experience using music that works in your setting or new tracks to simply “mix it up.”)
Pedagogical Foundations
Everything old is new again is a saying I heard all the time as a kid. It was especially used when young people (like me back then) thought they were inventing something new that wasn’t new at all (lol).
In music we rely on past artists, styles, genres, instrumentations, etc. as reference points and guides. We work to build on past music while advancing personal artistic expression and technique, but also strive to be groundbreaking with a “hit” that resonates with lots of people… We want to be new with something old.
In the music classroom, we know that kids are (and always will be kids)… This is also a big part of the “everything old” idea. We know that the students of today (and tomorrow) are not like students from when we were kids OR from 1939 when the music for this teaching strategy was originally created. When we consider who’s in the room, in my view, it's pretty important for music teachers to rethink, reimagine, and repeat what happens in school music. What do I mean? It’s about this:
Rethink how students of today (and tomorrow) learn, no really learn (i.e., how do they respond to school music; what makes them engage in their learning; what works best to spark student agency/ownership, development, and artistic growth)? Let’s do that.
Reimagine what happens in the music classroom. Yes, we absolutely have educational standards, curricula, and learning targets to address—but what would happen if we could “start over” and design music teaching and learning for today’s classroom? Maybe nothing would change, or only small things would change, but having permission to reimagine can be powerful! Let’s do this, too.
Then repeat everything and anything (lol) that introduces students to the wonders and joys of music making, to attentive and critical music listening, and to music curating so they keep track of favorite songs, artists, styles, etc. Repeat what works with your students, in your classroom, school setting, and community.
Of course, music is not new. Accordingly, I think we need to advance iconic music that has—stood the test of time—in addition to exposing students to music of today (and tomorrow). Everything old is new again… And remember, for most of our students ALL of the iconic musical examples we include are brand new to them!
Today’s teaching strategy “1939 Walk on Home” includes a sequence of choreographed steps—with opportunities for students to offer personal interpretations and be creative. I hope you give it a try with your students. But first, let me remind you who I am:
Hi! I’m Darla, an experienced PK-12 music educator, college professor, and former Berklee College of Music Dean looking to connect with teachers, parents/caregivers, and others seeking to advance creative music making for today’s students—and their teachers. In Darla Hanley’s Music Room you will find teaching strategies, advice and teaching tips, playlists, and more.
Today we are going to perform a choreographed dance that moves all around! Whoever is in the front of the line decides where to lead us—walking and moving throughout the room. Let’s learn the steps.
ProTIP: You know your students, but oftentimes it’s best for the teacher to take the lead at first to show students what is expected (and model ideas for them).
Teach the “1939 Walk on Home” movements in place (non-locomotor), at first. Video provided to make it easy!
Guide students to form a single line and practice the dance steps a few times without music—this time moving around the room (locomotor).
ProTIP: Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming to learn new dance steps AND hear new music at the same time. Isolating movements will prepare students for success when they put it all together.
Play the recording of “Flying Home” and direct students to perform the dance with the track.
ProTIP: Start the dance at 0.6 following a brief introduction.
We are currently in the year 2025… almost 2026. The music we are dancing to was written and recorded in the year 1939. That was 86 years ago… Wow. And it’s so great!
ProTIP: Music that stands the test of time is amazing. It’s clear to hear why this music was popular and is still available. Share historical information about any artists/recordings you use as it fits your teaching situation.
Materials/Set Up
Space for Movement
🎵 Benny Goodman Sextet "Flying Home” Link to Track on Spotify
1939 Walk on Home Dance
© 2025 Darla S. Hanley
Walk, walk, walk, walk
R Foot Front
R Foot Back
R Foot Side (to the R)
R Foot In
March in Place L, R, L, R
Clap Up L, Clap Up R
Clap Down L, Clap Down R
[Repeat]
Video
EXTEND the Learning:
Ask students to replace the 4 claps with new body percussion.
Have students perform the movements in a circle formation instead of a line.
Learning Targets
Move
Learning Outcomes
Respond with choreographed movements
Create original body percussion
Perform a locomotor dance as a group
Assessment
Informal Observation/Formative Assessment
Thanks for checking this out. If you use this teaching strategy, be sure to leave a comment to let me know how it resonates with your students!