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This unit introduces Year 6 students to the powerful Māori tradition of the Haka whilst developing sophisticated choreographic skills. By starting with authentic cultural movement, students explore how gesture, voice, and emotion combine to tell stories through dance. The unit uniquely balances respectful cultural appreciation with creative choreography, progressing from learning traditional movements to creating original performances using advanced compositional techniques.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Learning the Ka Mate Haka
1h

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies and voices to express cultural stories and emotions through the powerful movements of the Haka?

Key Objectives:

  • • To understand the cultural significance and origins of the Haka
  • • To learn and perform the actions and words of the Ka Mate Haka

Lesson 2

Creative Travelling Movements
1h 6min

Big Question:

How can we transform static movements into dynamic travelling sequences that tell a story?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop a 20-second travelling section using different levels, pathways and directions
  • • To creatively adapt static Haka actions into travelling movements

Lesson 3

Creating Pairs Choreography Using Visual Stimulus
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use images and visual stimuli to create meaningful movement that tells a story through dance?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop creative dance ideas using visual stimulus as inspiration
  • • To create a 22-second pairs section incorporating mirror image, level changes, and directional movement

Lesson 4

Small Group Chance Choreography
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use chance to create powerful dance sequences that tell a story?

Key Objectives:

  • • To work effectively in small groups to create collaborative dance sequences
  • • To understand and apply chance choreography techniques

Lesson 5

Advanced Group Choreography and Performance
1h

Big Question:

How can we use sophisticated choreographic devices to create a powerful group performance that tells a story?

Key Objectives:

  • • To work collaboratively in groups using advanced choreographic techniques
  • • To effectively implement chance choreography in creative dance

Lesson 6

Performance Evaluation and Improvement
1h

Big Question:

How can we evaluate dance performances using technical language to help ourselves and others improve?

Key Objectives:

  • • To understand what constitutes a good dance performance using technical criteria
  • • To give constructive feedback to peers using appropriate dance vocabulary