Dance 3 - Lesson 4

In the fourth lesson of Dance 3 for Year 3 students, the objective is to choreograph a group dance routine incorporating the element of canon. To succeed, pupils must be able to create a sequence of movements together, depict the influence of a kite's movement within their choreography, and effectively use canon within their dance routine. The key vocabulary for this lesson includes terms such as canon, unison, beats, levels, pace, direction, fluency, eye contact, and sequencing. The essential equipment required for the lesson is music that embodies different weather conditions, which plays a significant role in inspiring the pupils' movements.

The lesson begins with a warm-up where pupils, in small groups, perform exercises to prepare their bodies for dancing, starting from their head down to their feet. They are then tasked with walking around the room, avoiding contact, and quickly forming groups of varying numbers as called out by the teacher. The main part of the lesson involves pupils practicing their solos from a previous lesson and then working in groups to create a new sequence of movements, as if led by a kite, for a 16 count routine. The movements should reflect the dynamics of the kite flying in different weather conditions such as rain, wind, or sun. In the final stage, groups arrange themselves in a diamond formation and work out how to perform their sequence in canon, deciding on a trigger movement to start the next dancer. The lesson concludes with each group performing their choreographed piece in front of their peers, followed by a cool-down activity where pupils partner up to describe the journey of a kite experiencing various weather conditions, echoing the imaginative approach introduced in the first lesson.