Chance to Choreography Exploration
Dance
•Year 5
•8 Lessons
This unit takes Year 5 students on a sophisticated journey from experimental dance creation using chance methods to structured choreography in the Rock 'n' Roll style. Students develop understanding of dance as a compositional art form, exploring how dancers use dynamics, relationships, space, and timing to create meaning and impact. The unit bridges contemporary dance exploration with traditional partner dance, building both creative confidence and technical understanding.
Lessons in This Unit
8 lessons in this unit
Lesson 1
Big Question:
How can random elements create structured and meaningful dance performances?
Key Objectives:
- • To create a dance using random structure methods and perform actions showing quality and control
- • To understand and apply Merce Cunningham's 'Dance by Chance' methodology
Lesson 2
Big Question:
How can changing the way we move transform the meaning and impact of our dance?
Key Objectives:
- • To understand and apply dynamics to change the quality of dance actions
- • To provide constructive feedback using dance terminology
Lesson 3
Big Question:
How can dancers use relationships and space to create more dynamic and interesting performances?
Key Objectives:
- • To understand and use relationships and space effectively in dance
- • To adapt and refine the use of actions, dynamics and relationships
Lesson 4
Big Question:
How can we create powerful group poses that tell a story and flow smoothly together like frames in a film?
Key Objectives:
- • To link poses with smooth, choreographed transitions
- • To create group poses that demonstrate connection and artistic expression
Lesson 5
Big Question:
How can we use different levels and timing to create powerful visual snapshots in dance?
Key Objectives:
- • To use varying levels effectively in dance poses and movement
- • To demonstrate understanding of unison and canon when creating and linking poses
Lesson 6
Big Question:
How can we use dynamics and timing to capture the spirit and energy of 1950s Rock 'n' Roll dance?
Key Objectives:
- • To use dynamics effectively when performing Rock 'n' Roll dance movements
- • To copy and repeat movements in the authentic style of Rock 'n' Roll
Lesson 7
Big Question:
How can we use dynamic movement and timing to create exciting partner dance performances?
Key Objectives:
- • To copy and repeat Rock 'n' Roll actions with quality and control
- • To work with a partner, maintaining timing with each other and the music
Lesson 8
Big Question:
How can we combine traditional Rock 'n' Roll dance steps with our own creative movements to tell a story through dance?
Key Objectives:
- • To work collaboratively with a partner and a group to create a dance in the style of Rock 'n' Roll
- • To adapt and refine the way we use actions, dynamics and relationships in dance