This unit uses the familiar context of daily routines to introduce Reception students to creative movement and basic dance concepts. By connecting movement to their personal experiences - from waking up to going to bed - students develop body awareness and creative expression in a meaningful, relatable way. The 'champion dancers' theme builds confidence while the daily life narrative provides structure that young children can easily understand and engage with.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Moving in Sequence
30 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers when we start our day?

Key Objectives:

  • • To explore different movements using different parts of the body
  • • To create and remember a sequence of three morning actions

Lesson 2

Exploring Travel Movements
30 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers when travelling to different places?

Key Objectives:

  • • To explore large scale travelling movements with control and confidence
  • • To respond to rhythm and music through body movements

Lesson 3

Moving with Props and Contrasting Tempos
30 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers using props to show different types of weather?

Key Objectives:

  • • To respond to words and music using bodies and props with control
  • • To move in relation to rhythm and tempo changes in music

Lesson 4

Creating Personal Movement Sequences
30 min

Big Question:

How can we create movements that tell the story of our daily journey like champion dancers?

Key Objectives:

  • • To create original movement ideas relating to specific words and actions
  • • To develop confidence in performing personal movement sequences

Lesson 5

Exploring Opposites and Creating Simple Movement Sequences
30 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies to show opposite movements and tell the story of going to bed?

Key Objectives:

  • • To explore different movements using qualities of movement
  • • To understand and demonstrate the concept of opposites through movement

Lesson 6

Character Movements with Partners
45 min

Big Question:

How can we move like different characters and work together to tell a story?

Key Objectives:

  • • To explore and develop character movements inspired by cats and mice
  • • To work collaboratively with a partner to create movement sequences