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This unit uses the magical transformation of plants as inspiration for Year 1 students to develop fundamental dance skills through imaginative movement. The natural growth theme provides a perfect scaffold for building movement vocabulary, from simple rhythmic responses to complex collaborative sequences. Through embodying the journey from seed to flowering plant, students develop both technical dance skills and creative expression whilst connecting movement to their understanding of the natural world.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Responding to Rhythm
45 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers who respond to rhythm and grow like flowers?

Key Objectives:

  • • To respond to rhythm and patterns through movement
  • • To control and co-ordinate bodies to perform movements through the 'growing' theme

Lesson 2

Growing Plant Dance Development
45 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers to tell the story of a growing plant?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop control and coordination in movement responses to rhythm and patterns
  • • To explore creative movements that represent the stages of plant growth

Lesson 3

Introduction to Motifs
30 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers and create our own planting motif?

Key Objectives:

  • • To respond to rhythm and patterns through movement
  • • To control and co-ordinate bodies to perform a motif

Lesson 4

Creating Movement Motifs
45 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers and create our own seed-to-plant story through movement?

Key Objectives:

  • • To respond to rhythms and patterns through controlled movement
  • • To create and perform a motif representing the lifecycle of a plant

Lesson 5

Creating Movement Sequences
45 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers and bring flowers to life through movement?

Key Objectives:

  • • To use improvisation to explore various dynamics and movement qualities
  • • To create movement sequences that represent flowers using jump, turn and balance

Lesson 6

Relationships and Performance
45 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers and show the special relationship between a bee and flower?

Key Objectives:

  • • To explore the relationship between two living things through movement patterns
  • • To create and perform movement sequences with control and rhythm