Dance 2 - Lesson 1

In Year 3's Dance 2, Lesson 1, pupils embark on a creative journey to explore and embody the movements of a Circus Clown. The lesson's objectives are centred on selecting and experimenting with a variety of movements, with a specific focus on the colourful world of the circus. To gauge success, pupils must demonstrate their ability to explore and repeat a range of actions with coordination, respond imaginatively to stimuli, and provide feedback on their peers' movements with the support of their teacher. Key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms such as 'phrase', 'circus', 'audience', 'clown', and 'clumsy', which help to convey the thematic elements of the lesson. Essential equipment includes gymnastic mats for the cool-down session, visual cues related to the circus, optional red noses to enhance the experience, and music to bring the circus ambiance to life.

The lesson is structured to begin with a warm-up where pupils engage in activities like the 'Sweet Shop' game, which encourages them to move around the space in various ways while responding to different movement commands. This is followed by the main session, where the teacher introduces the circus theme using visual clues and discusses the different circus performers, with a particular emphasis on clowns. Pupils are encouraged to think about the characteristics of a clown and use their imagination to dress up in clown costumes and move in a 'clumsy' manner. They are then tasked with creating a short dance phrase with a partner, incorporating movements associated with clowns. The lesson culminates in a performance where each pair presents their dance phrase, followed by a cool-down session that revisits the 'Sweet Shop' activity and includes stretching and breathing exercises to relax and reflect on the lesson.