Dance 3 - Lesson 2

In the second lesson of Year 2's Dance 3 module, the children are tasked with creating simple dance phrases that capture the essence of a lion's movements. The lesson begins with a warm-up where the class teacher sets out the dance zone and leads the children through a series of movements to different beats. The pupils are encouraged to explore and respond to the rhythm with various actions like stamping, clapping, and hopping. The main part of the lesson involves discussing and improvising dance phrases based on the behaviour and actions of animals, specifically focusing on the movements of lions compared to the previously studied elephants. The children listen to 'Carnival of the Animals' by Camille Saint-Saëns to inspire their choreography, and they are prompted to think about the dynamics of a lion's movements, such as being steady, gentle, fierce, and strong.

The lesson plan guides the pupils through a structured improvisation, working in pairs to create a sequence that includes starting curled up, padding around the room, stalking prey, pouncing, and roaring to signify a successful hunt. The children are then given the opportunity to perform their dance phrases to the class, receiving and giving feedback with the help of the teacher's sample questions. The lesson concludes with a cool down on gymnastic mats, where the children stretch and practice controlled breathing, preparing them for the exploration of bird movements in the next lesson. The structured activities, paired with pupil talk and leadership opportunities, ensure that the children are actively engaged and learning to express themselves through movement.