Dance 3 - Lesson 5

In the fifth lesson of the Year 6 Dance module, students are tasked with choreographing and rehearsing a group dance inspired by the theme of space. The learning objectives are clear: to remember and refine choreographed movements, to work cohesively in a group, and to incorporate the influence of music into their dance. Key vocabulary such as 'sequencing', 'musicality', and 'rhythm' is introduced to help students articulate the concepts they are working with. The lesson is carefully structured, beginning with a warm-up where students take turns leading exercises in a circle, ensuring different body parts are engaged. They then move around the room in various styles, responding to the teacher's instructions, which helps them to transition into the main activity.

The core of the lesson involves integrating routines developed in previous sessions into a single group performance. Students rehearse their solos as astronauts, draw their space rockets on the floor with masking tape, and work on their choreography, emphasizing the sensation of weightlessness. They also revisit their 'star alignment' improvisations and refine movements representing different planets, with a focus on embodying either 'gas' or 'rocky' textures. The teacher offers guidance and feedback to enhance the students' confidence and performance skills. The lesson culminates in a full rehearsal 'in the round', preparing the students for a performance without a fixed front, encouraging them to be mindful of the audience surrounding them. A cool-down activity has students partner up and lead each other through a guided relaxation exercise, imagining a journey through space, which also serves as an opportunity to build confidence in speaking and improvisation.