Dance 3 - Unit Overview

The Year 2 Dance 3 unit is an imaginative exploration of movement, with a charming theme centred around toys. Pupils will embark on a creative journey where they select and investigate various movements that echo the playful world of a Toymaker's Workshop. As they progress through the unit, they will work towards a culminating class performance that showcases their interpretation of this whimsical theme. Prior to this unit, pupils should already be familiar with different dance movements, the concept of a motif, and how to construct a dance phrase. They should also be adept at expressing their thoughts on dance performances and the creative process involved.

Throughout the unit, teaching tips are provided to ensure lessons run smoothly and safely, such as adjusting timings for lessons shorter than an hour and using gymnastics mats. Pupils are encouraged to work in mixed-gender and mixed-ability pairs or groups, which remain consistent through to the final performance. The overarching goal is to engage all pupils in dance, enhancing their body awareness, creativity, choreographic and performance skills, as well as their ability to appreciate and critique dance. The unit is structured with a series of lessons, each with specific learning objectives and success criteria, focusing on creating simple dance phrases inspired by the movements of animals such as elephants, lions, birds, sea animals, and more.