Dance 3 - Lesson 1

In the first lesson of Dance 3 for Year 1, students embark on a creative journey to express the gentle movements of the sea through dance. The learning objectives are centred around crafting a simple dance phrase that captures the essence of a calm ocean. To achieve success, students are expected to explore and respond to various stimuli with imagination, listen and respond to music, and coordinate a series of actions into a fluid sequence. They will also learn to give and receive feedback on their dance performances with the help of their teacher and using basic dance terminology. The key vocabulary introduced in this lesson includes words such as 'motif', 'phrase', 'gesture', 'pathways', 'ebb', and 'flow', which are all related to the thematic elements of the sea and its movement.

The lesson begins with a warm-up where the class teacher models different traveling steps and rhythms to which the pupils respond with corresponding actions like stamping, clapping, and hopping. Following this, the main session delves into the seaside theme, with discussions and visual stimuli to ignite the children's imagination. The music of 'La Mer' by Debussy sets the auditory backdrop for the pupils to visualise and discuss the seaside. The class then explores the sea's various appearances and movements, particularly focusing on the ebb and flow of waves, and translates these into physical gestures and body movements. Pupils are encouraged to work in small groups to improvise and create their own dance phrases, culminating in a performance where they showcase their work and receive constructive feedback. The lesson concludes with a cool-down period involving stretching and breathing exercises on gymnastic mats, preparing the students to transition smoothly back to their next class activity.