Lesson 3 - Friendship Through Movement
Jungle Book Dance Adventure
•Year 1
•Dance
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How can we use our bodies to show friendship and work together in perfect unison?
Learning Objectives
- Compose a movement pattern to demonstrate movements which show friendship
- Develop partner work skills through unison movement
- Explore ideas and movements showing a friendship theme
Key Outcomes
- Students will create and perform friendship-themed dance sequences with their partner
- Students will demonstrate unison movement skills by moving together at the same time
- Students will understand how body language and movement can express emotions and relationships
Equipment & Resources Required
Position for clear sound throughout space
Alternative: iPad/phone with speaker, CD player
Place one in each corner of room
Alternative: Cones, hoops, or marked areas
Display clearly on or near each mat
Alternative: Animal masks, written signs
Cued up ready to play
Alternative: Pre-recorded story extract, book to read aloud
Key Vocabulary
Moving at exactly the same time as your partner, like a mirror
Caring about someone and being kind to them
A series of movements that follow one after another
The steady pulse you can clap along to in music
To create or make up your own dance movements
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic locomotor skills (walking, jumping, hopping)
- Following simple instructions and moving to music
- Understanding of basic emotions and feelings
Current Skills
- Creating movement patterns with a partner
- Performing in unison with precise timing
- Expressing friendship through movement and gesture
Next Steps
- Developing longer, more complex dance sequences
- Working in small groups to create collaborative dances
- Adding props and costume elements to enhance performance
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Unison means moving at exactly the same time - emphasise precision over complexity
- Friendship movements should be gentle, caring, and clearly show positive relationships
- 8-beat timing helps create structure and supports students in moving together
- Partnership work requires listening, sharing ideas, and supporting each other
- Creative movement expression is valued - there are many ways to show friendship
- Connection between story themes and physical movement helps deepen understanding
- Performance skills develop through practice and positive audience experiences
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking unison just means doing similar movements - clarify it means exactly the same time
- Believing movements must be complex to be good - emphasise that simple, well-timed movements are better
- Assuming friendship movements must be hugs - show variety of ways to express friendship
- Thinking only one partner should lead - explain that good partnerships involve shared leadership
- Believing mistakes ruin the performance - teach that performances are about sharing learning, not perfection
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent movement breaks, clear boundaries and expectations, positive reinforcement for sustained attention, varied activity types
dyspraxia
- Simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, visual and verbal cues combined, celebration of effort over perfection
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet space available if needed, consistent partnership arrangements
visual impairment
- Use verbal descriptions of movements, buddy system for spatial awareness, tactile cues for unison timing
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all movements, visual counting signals, use of vibrations for rhythm awareness
physical disability
- Adapted movements for wheelchair users or limited mobility, upper body focus if needed, peer support for movement
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development (unison, friendship, sequence), listening skills during story time, speaking and listening through partner discussions
Maths
Counting to 8, pattern recognition in movement sequences, spatial awareness and positioning
Music
Rhythm and beat awareness through 8-count movements, listening skills with background music, tempo and timing concepts
PSHE
Friendship qualities and values, cooperation and teamwork, emotional expression through movement, building positive relationships
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter to observe all partnerships, central position for demonstrations and whole-class instruction
Observation Focus
Watch for unison timing, partnership cooperation, creative friendship movements, and safe practice
Intervention Points
Step in if partnerships struggling with cooperation, movements becoming unsafe, or students not engaging with friendship theme
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for visibility, always demonstrate with a student helper to show partnership aspects, model positive language and encouragement
Verbal Cues
- •'Together, together!' for unison timing
- •'Show me friendship!' to refocus on theme
- •'Gentle movements!' for safety reminders
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 8m x 8m clear space, additional corner areas for warm-up mats
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles, adequate cushioning for movement
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Mats placed securely in corners with no trip hazards
- •Audio equipment positioned safely away from movement areas
- •Picture cards securely attached to avoid becoming slip hazards
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during warm-up game
- •Slips during partner movements
- •Overexcitement leading to unsafe movements
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear movement boundaries established and maintained
- •Emphasis on gentle, controlled movements throughout
- •Adequate spacing between partnerships during practice
- •Teacher positioning for maximum supervision visibility
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to see all students during warm-up game
- •Circulate during partner work to ensure safe practice
- •Central position during performances for immediate intervention if needed
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal established, basic first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation route maintained