Dance - Lesson 3

In Year 5 Dance Lesson 3, students delve into the dynamic world of Haka, a traditional Maori dance. The lesson's objective is for pupils to perform a dance phrase that incorporates a simple range of Haka movements and patterns within a group setting. To achieve success, they must demonstrate the ability to explore, repeat, and link movements with coordination, follow a choreographed dance phrase, and work collaboratively to create a short dance sequence that embodies the essence of a Haka. Key vocabulary for the session includes terms like 'phrase', 'gesture', 'Haka', 'unison', 'canon', and 'repetition', which are essential for understanding and executing the dance movements.

The lesson begins with a warm-up where the class teacher instructs pupils on the number of participants in a group and the number of body parts to touch the floor. This activity is designed to get the students moving and thinking about coordination. The main part of the lesson involves revisiting the Haka learned previously, with the teacher highlighting key characteristics such as fierce facial expressions, chest puffing, knee bending, foot stamping, and strong arm movements, all performed in unison. Pupils are then encouraged to improvise, working in groups to integrate their own moves into parts of the Haka. The lesson concludes with a performance where groups present their Hakas to each other, providing feedback, and a cool-down session that includes stretching and breathing exercises to relax the body after the energetic activities.