Dance - Unit Overview

The Year 5 Dance 1 Unit offers an immersive experience into the world of the Haka, where pupils will learn and perform movements from the traditional Maori war dance, culminating in a choreographed dance phrase based on the Ka Mate Haka. Prior to this unit, pupils should already be familiar with a variety of dance movements and skills, including the construction of dance phrases and techniques such as dancing in unison and canon movement. The unit aims to engage all pupils in dance, helping them to develop body awareness, creativity, choreographic and performance skills, as well as an appreciation for the dance form. Teachers are advised to prepare by familiarising themselves with the Haka movements and to use a combination of images and videos to introduce pupils to the Haka.

The medium-term plan outlines six lessons, each with specific learning objectives and success criteria. The first lesson focuses on performing a simple range of Haka movements and patterns. As the unit progresses, pupils will explore, repeat, and link movements with coordination, follow choreographed dance phrases, and work in groups to create their own dance phrases incorporating traditional Haka characteristics. Safety is a priority, with gymnastic mats provided and pupils required to remove shoes and socks. The unit also suggests mixing boys and girls of varying abilities for dance partners or groups, maintaining these combinations for the final performance. The final lessons involve rehearsing and performing the choreographed dance phrase, showcasing the pupils' understanding and execution of the Haka.