Lesson 2 - Circus Poetry Movement
Circus Magic: Creative Storytelling Through Dance
•Reception
•Dance
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How can poems inspire our bodies to tell circus stories through movement?
Learning Objectives
- Listen carefully to poetry and respond with creative movement
- Use body to express theme-related shapes, movements and feelings
- Move safely in space whilst being creative and expressive
Key Outcomes
- Students will create movements inspired by circus poetry
- Students will combine movements to form the second part of their circus motif
- Students will perform with confidence and give constructive feedback
Equipment & Resources Required
Place one card in each corner of the space before lesson begins
Alternative: Hand-drawn pictures, printed images, or props representing circus acts
Pre-load circus music tracks and test volume levels
Alternative: Tablet, phone with speaker, CD player
Ensure all children can hear clearly when poem is read
Alternative: Written on whiteboard, displayed on screen, memorised
Position where all children can see for discussion points
Alternative: Large paper, projection screen
Key Vocabulary
To create or design dance movements and put them together
A short sequence of movements that can be repeated and remembered
Using your face and body to show feelings and ideas
Everyone doing the same movement at exactly the same time
How you perform movements - fast/slow, strong/gentle, big/small
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic locomotor movements (walking, running, jumping)
- Simple body shapes and balances
- Following simple rhythms and beats
- First part of circus motif from previous lesson
Current Skills
- Responding to poetry through movement
- Creating expressive movements from words
- Combining movements into sequences
- Performing with increasing confidence
Next Steps
- Developing more complex choreographic sequences
- Using props and music more sophisticatedly
- Creating original dance compositions
- Evaluating and improving performances
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always credit children for their creative movement ideas and incorporate them into choreography
- Use specific dance vocabulary (unison, levels, dynamics) consistently throughout lesson
- Connect all movements back to circus theme to maintain engagement and context
- Provide clear timing counts (4 counts, 8 counts) to help children learn choreography
- Focus on expression and performance quality, not just correct movements
- Create safe, supportive environment where all creative ideas are valued
- Use poetry as inspiration but let children's interpretations guide movement development
Common Misconceptions
- Poetry must be interpreted literally - encourage creative and abstract movement responses
- All children must do exactly the same movements - allow for individual interpretation within structure
- Mistakes in timing or movement are failures - frame as learning opportunities and creative variations
- Only confident performers should demonstrate - rotate opportunities and build all children's confidence
- Feedback must identify problems - teach children to give positive, specific observations
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use shorter activity segments, provide movement breaks, clear behaviour expectations
dyspraxia
- Break down movements into smaller steps, provide extra practice time, use visual and verbal cues together
autism spectrum
- Provide visual schedule of activities, prepare for performance in advance, offer quiet space if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use descriptive language for movements, provide tactile cues, pair with sighted partner for safety
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations, provide written poem text, use visual cues for timing
physical disability
- Adapt movements for wheelchair users, allow seated participation, modify range of motion
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Listening skills, poetry appreciation, vocabulary development, speaking and presentation skills
Expressive Arts
Creative movement, performance skills, interpretation of words through physical expression
Mathematics
Counting beats and timing, patterns in movement sequences, spatial awareness and positioning
Personal Development
Self-confidence, creativity, working with others, giving and receiving feedback
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of space during activities, central position for demonstrations and discussions
Observation Focus
Watch for creative movement responses, safe spatial awareness, engagement with poem content, performance quality
Intervention Points
Support children who are reluctant to move, extend confident movers, ensure all children contribute ideas
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for clarity, maintain circus theme throughout, credit children's ideas, model confident performance attitude
Verbal Cues
- •'Show me with your whole body!'
- •'Make it big like a circus performance!'
- •'Listen with your thinking caps on!'
- •'There are no wrong ideas, only creative ones!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 10m, clear of obstacles with corners accessible for picture cards
Surface Check
Clean, dry, non-slip surface suitable for dance activities
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Picture cards securely attached to walls
- •Music equipment positioned safely away from movement area
- •No loose equipment on floor during activities
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during free movement
- •Slips during energetic movements
- •Over-excitement leading to unsafe behaviour
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear personal space boundaries established
- •Progressive warm-up before vigourous activity
- •Regular safety reminders throughout lesson
- •Teacher positioned for optimal supervision
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all four corners during corner game
- •Move around room during movement exploration
- •Stay central during performance activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop music immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid if needed, contact medical support if required