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This unit combines historical learning with creative expression as Year 1 students explore the Great Fire of London through dance and movement. Students develop their ability to interpret stories physically whilst building fundamental dance skills including travelling, levels, and partner work. The historical theme provides rich vocabulary and imagery that naturally inspires creative movement, making this an engaging cross-curricular experience.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Theme-Related Movement and Choreography
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies to tell the story of the Great Fire of London through movement?

Key Objectives:

  • • To move safely and creatively in space showing awareness of others
  • • To create theme-related shapes, movements and actions using different levels and travel patterns

Lesson 2

Creative Movement and Timing
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies to tell the story of the Great Fire of London through creative movement?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop creative ideas using the words in the mind map as our stimulus
  • • To focus on timing and performing the completed motif in unison

Lesson 3

Travelling with Levels and Pathways
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use our Fire of London motif to create exciting travelling movements at different levels?

Key Objectives:

  • • To creatively turn actions from our motif into travelling movements
  • • To show use of different levels in our travelling movements

Lesson 4

Partner Choreography with Props
45 min

Big Question:

How can we work together to create dance movements inspired by what we see and feel?

Key Objectives:

  • • To work well in pairs showing good cooperation skills and give useful peer feedback
  • • To use a prop as a stimulus for creative and imaginative actions

Lesson 5

Partner Poetry and Movement Creation
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use poems and pictures to create beautiful dance movements with our partner?

Key Objectives:

  • • To work well in pairs showing good cooperation skills and give useful peer feedback
  • • To use the poem as a stimulus for creative and imaginative actions

Lesson 6

Performance and Peer Evaluation
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use feedback to make our Fire of London performance even better?

Key Objectives:

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