Dance 3 - Lesson 5

In Year 5's Dance 3, Lesson 5, students are tasked with choreographing and rehearsing a dance sequence that draws inspiration from river poetry. The learning objectives are clear: pupils should be able to form a fluid sequence of movements, utilise adverbs, verbs, and key vocabulary to guide their choreography, and apply a range of dance techniques to enhance their performance. The success criteria set the stage for a dynamic learning experience, where pupils are expected to extend their movements into a complete dance, informed by the descriptive language of the poetry and the expressive potential of dance.

The lesson begins with a collaborative warm-up, where students take turns leading exercises to prepare different parts of the body for movement. After warming up, they revisit their previously created river journey floor plans and practice travelling along these paths in various ways, as instructed by the teacher. The main activity involves groups receiving a river poem and using highlighters to identify words that will influence their dance movements. As they choreograph their sequences, pupils are encouraged to incorporate elements such as levels, tempo, and canons to reflect the features and flow of a river. The lesson concludes with a cool-down session where partners take turns describing a river journey, using rich vocabulary and sensory details, while the other partner listens with their eyes closed, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the river's journey through guided imagery and reflection.