Dance 2 - Lesson 3

In the third lesson of Dance 2 for Year 2 students, part of the Striver Lesson Plans, children are encouraged to explore and perform movements inspired by Toy Soldiers. The lesson objectives are for pupils to select and experiment with various movements, coordinate these actions with a beat, and provide feedback using simple dance vocabulary with teacher assistance. The lesson includes a warm-up where children practice finding space and following different travelling steps such as skipping and galloping. This is followed by a 'Copy Cats' activity, where partners or small groups mimic the leader's movements, gradually increasing in intensity. The main session involves creating dance phrases that reflect the movements of toy soldiers, with the children considering how soldiers move in synchronisation and which parts of their body are involved. The session is accompanied by marching music to help pupils respond to the rhythm.

As the lesson progresses, pupils engage in various marching compositions, including marching solo, in pairs, and in groups, with opportunities for them to lead and demonstrate their understanding of the movements. They also work on improvisation, creating short dance phrases that showcase their interpretation of marching like a Toy Soldier. The lesson concludes with a performance where students present their dance phrases to the class and receive feedback based on the established success criteria. A cool-down session with stretching and breathing exercises on gymnastic mats helps the pupils relax and reflect on their physical activity. Throughout the lesson, leadership opportunities are provided, allowing children to take turns leading movements and counting during stretches, fostering a sense of responsibility and confidence.