Dance 2 - Lesson 1

The first lesson of the Year 6 Dance (2) series is designed to inspire pupils to perform a series of movements that evoke the essence of an Olympic flame. The learning objectives are clear: students should be able to explore, repeat, and connect a range of actions with coordination, as well as combine and link several movement phrases and patterns. Key vocabulary such as 'phrase', 'gesture', 'level', 'unison', 'canon', and 'coordination' are introduced to enrich the pupils’ dance lexicon. The lesson requires gymnastic mats for cooldown activities, optional coloured streamers to enhance visual expression, and music, with the suggestion of 'Chariots of Fire' by Vangelis to set an Olympic tone. The warm-up consists of a dynamic 'Remote Control' activity where pupils respond to various commands to change their movements, preparing them physically and mentally for the main session.

The core of the lesson revolves around the Olympics, with pupils guessing the new dance topic from visual clues before delving into creating dance phrases based on elements of the Olympic Games. They will focus particularly on the lighting of the torch, the torch relay, and the sports represented at the Olympics. The teacher guides the students through the significance of the Olympic torch and its journey from Olympia, Greece, to the opening ceremony, using this as a stimulus for the pupils to improvise a routine. In groups of four, they will work on a torch lighting phrase, exploring the use of choreographic devices like unison, canon, and varying levels. The session culminates with performances where pupils demonstrate their sequences, receive feedback based on the success criteria, and reflect on their coordination and movements. The lesson ends with a cooldown phase, repeating the 'Remote Control' activity and incorporating stretching and breathing exercises to relax and centre the pupils before they return to class.