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This unit introduces Nursery students to expressive movement through the magical world of circus performers. The focus is on developing body awareness, spatial concepts, and creative expression whilst building confidence in movement exploration. Through imaginative play and structured dance activities, students discover how their bodies can tell stories and express emotions, laying essential foundations for future dance and drama learning.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Circus Character Movement and Dance
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies to tell exciting circus stories through movement and dance?

Key Objectives:

  • • To move safely in space taking care of ourselves and others (heads up, eyes forward, control speed)
  • • To use a mind map to help us move like different circus characters that we know

Lesson 2

Circus Poem Movement Creation
30 min

Big Question:

How can words from a poem inspire us to create beautiful circus movements?

Key Objectives:

  • • To listen carefully to the poem and be creative with our movements
  • • To move safely in space taking care of ourselves and others

Lesson 3

Travelling with Levels in Dance
45 min

Big Question:

How can we travel through space like circus performers using high, medium and low levels?

Key Objectives:

  • • To be creative in our use of travelling movements
  • • To show use of different levels in our travelling movements

Lesson 4

Partner Picture Creation
45 min

Big Question:

How can pictures help us create amazing dance movements with a partner?

Key Objectives:

  • • To work well in pairs showing good listening and cooperation
  • • To use circus pictures to come up with creative and imaginative actions

Lesson 5

Partner Work and Creative Movement
30 min

Big Question:

How can we work together to tell a circus story through dance?

Key Objectives:

  • • To work collaboratively in pairs showing good listening skills
  • • To use visual stimuli to create imaginative circus movements

Lesson 6

Circus Performance and Peer Feedback
45 min

Big Question:

How can we become amazing circus performers and help our friends get better too?

Key Objectives:

  • • To understand what makes a good performance
  • • To give useful feedback to our partner