Character Storytelling Dance
•Year 3
•Dance
•Test volume levels before lesson, ensure clear sound quality
Alternative: Portable speaker with phone/tablet connection
Cue track to correct starting point, have backup ready
Alternative: Any upbeat, character-appropriate music with clear tempo
Mark clear sections for practice and performance
Alternative: Moderate tempo music suitable for jazz square practice
Mark individual practice spaces ensuring safe distances
Alternative: Chalk marks or tape on floor
Prepare relevant passages about Matilda's personality
Alternative: Character description sheet or images
A basic dance step: step forward, cross over, step back, step back
The personality and qualities of a person or role we are portraying through movement
A story or sequence of events that we can tell through dance
The art of creating and arranging dance movements into a sequence
The speed of the music - fast, medium, or slow
A sequence of connected movements that flows together like a sentence
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Character analysis and narrative understanding through Matilda literature, vocabulary development with dance terminology
Character interpretation, performance skills, audience awareness and stage presence
Understanding historical context of jazz dance, cultural appreciation through movement styles
Understanding tempo, rhythm, and beat through movement, responding to musical structure and phrasing
Self-confidence through performance, giving and receiving feedback respectfully, celebrating individual creativity
Move around the space to observe all students, position at front for demonstrations, circulate during individual work
Watch for technical accuracy in jazz square, character understanding in movement choices, safe movement practices
Step in if students struggling with jazz square steps, provide character inspiration if creativity blocks occur, ensure safe spacing maintained
Always demonstrate new movements slowly first, show both correct and incorrect versions for clarity, use exaggerated movements for visibility, maintain character work in all demonstrations
Minimum 8m x 8m clear space, with additional space for individual practice areas
Dry, even surface free from obstacles, suitable for turning and jumping movements
Stop music immediately if incident occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid support, ensure other students remain safely positioned
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