Cultural Expression to Creative Choreography
Dance
•Year 7
•6 Lessons
This unit takes Year 7 students on a journey from culturally-rooted dance expression to independent creative choreography, bridging the transition from primary PE to secondary dance specialism. Beginning with the powerful cultural context of the Haka, students build confidence in expressive movement before exploring how everyday sports movements can become artistic choreography. The unit's contemporary approach - using music videos, dance battles, and group creation - engages adolescent learners whilst developing sophisticated dance vocabulary and performance skills.
Lessons in This Unit
6 lessons in this unit
Lesson 1
Big Question:
How can we use our bodies to express cultural stories and demonstrate unity through movement?
Key Objectives:
- • To develop an understanding of unison in dance and demonstrate this with peers during a Haka performance
- • To explore the cultural significance of Haka and its role in Māori tradition
Lesson 2
Big Question:
How can sports movements be transformed into expressive dance choreography that tells a story?
Key Objectives:
- • To apply existing knowledge of sports skills to create dance movements
- • To collaborate effectively in creating a group routine combining 3+ sport-inspired movements
Lesson 3
Big Question:
How can mastering timing and rhythm transform a simple movement into powerful dance communication?
Key Objectives:
- • Students will understand and demonstrate the concept of timing, beats and bars in dance
- • Students will create and perform choreographed motifs in groups showing accurate timing
Lesson 4
Big Question:
How can the five fundamental dance concepts transform a simple routine into an expressive performance?
Key Objectives:
- • To identify and demonstrate the five key dance concepts: Travel, Turn, Jump, Gesture, Freeze
- • To create and teach original dance sequences incorporating all five concepts
Lesson 5
Big Question:
How can we use dance techniques to tell a story and express creativity through our own music video?
Key Objectives:
- • To synthesize dance techniques learned over the unit into an original choreographed routine
- • To collaborate effectively in creating a group music video performance
Lesson 6
Big Question:
How do we demonstrate excellence in performance whilst providing constructive feedback to help others improve?
Key Objectives:
- • To perform created music video routines demonstrating dance technique and performance quality
- • To evaluate dance performances using specific criteria and provide constructive feedback