Dance 2 - Lesson 3

In the third lesson of the Year 3 Dance 2 series, students are encouraged to immerse themselves in the world of the circus, specifically exploring the movements of a Circus Tightrope Walker. The learning objectives aim to have pupils select and explore a variety of movements, with the success criteria focusing on imaginative exploration, repeating and linking actions with coordination, and providing feedback using simple dance vocabulary. Key vocabulary introduced includes 'phrase', 'tightrope', and various types of pathways such as 'linear', 'circular', and 'zig-zag'. The lesson begins with a warm-up that includes travelling steps and body part challenges, designed to get the children thinking about movement and balance. The teacher then facilitates a transition to the main activity, ensuring pupils are ready to focus on the creative element of the lesson.

The main portion of the session delves deeper into the theme of the circus. Pupils are reminded of the dance topic and informed that they will be creating dance phrases inspired by circus performers, culminating in their own circus performance. The teacher discusses the role of a tightrope walker, highlighting the importance of balance and the ability to travel along different pathways. Through 'Follow The Leader' activities, improvisation, and composition exercises, students explore and emulate the careful and delicate movements of a tightrope walker, with opportunities for leadership as they take turns leading and demonstrating to their peers. The lesson concludes with performances, where pairs showcase their phrases and receive constructive feedback, before a cool-down session that revisits the body parts activity and includes stretching and breathing exercises to relax and reflect on the lesson's activities.