Dance 3 - Unit Overview

The Year 5 Dance 3 unit is an engaging programme that immerses pupils in the theme of 'Rivers' to inspire their dance performances. Throughout the unit, students will have the opportunity to perform freeze frames, create floor plans to represent a river's journey, and develop dance sequences that incorporate movements and transitions inspired by poetry. This unit is designed to build upon the students' prior knowledge of dance movements and phrases, as well as to enhance their understanding of how different dance elements can be linked to form cohesive group and whole class performances. The ultimate goal of the unit is to foster pupils' body awareness, creativity, and to develop their skills in choreography, performance, and appreciation of dance.

Each lesson within the Dance 3 unit has clear learning objectives and success criteria, starting with the ability to perform freeze frames and culminating in a fully choreographed dance using river-themed poetry as a source of inspiration. Pupils will learn to utilise space effectively, create versatile movements that explore different levels and directions, and work collaboratively in duets or trios to develop trusting relationships and incorporate lifts into their sequences. The medium-term plan outlines six lessons, each with specific goals such as interpreting images, creating floor plans, and using key vocabulary from poetry to inform movements. The unit also includes practical teaching tips, such as adjusting timings for shorter lessons, ensuring safety with gymnastics mats, and using clear signals for classroom management. To enhance the learning experience, it is recommended that pupils have a basic understanding of river features and the water cycle, linking the dance unit to their geography studies.