Introduction
* Establish movement objectives for the group and individuals based on one or two elements of dance. (An action? Body part/shape? Use of space? Dynamics? Relationships?)
* Use a stimulus to clarify the movement theme. (An object? Picture? Story? Extract of music or professional dance on video?)
* Introduce an accompaniment. (Live or pre-recorded music?) Warm-up exercises
* Check the mood of the group. (Do they need to 'let off steam' or be 'grounded' with small movements on the floor?)
* Have the children do some bending, stretching and twisting exercises to warm up different sets of muscles.
* Encourage the children to do additional exercises that focus the mind and body and relate to the objectives.
Developing the theme
* Encourage the children to explore movements that relate to the objectives and develop their skills and abilities.
* Provide a balance of familiar, challenging and contrasting movements.
* Model and encourage the children to use action vocabulary.
* Organise opportunities for partner and group work to develop relationships and control of energy in relation to others.
* Develop the children's awareness of body shape, posture and use of space.
* Encourage the children to try to perform the movements more skilfully, more confidently, with other children or independently.
Making a dance
* Encourage the children to choose and combine movements into phrases or sequences. Where possible, let the children take the lead.
* Provide sensitive support as they practise and perfect the sequence.
* Perform the sequence to an audience (half the class at a time?).
* Set the 'audience' a task, for example, to watch out for a particular action, body shape or facial expression.
Evaluating and reviewing
Ask the children to:
* recall features of the dance
* comment on how the dance made them feel.
