Neil Armstrong’s famous quote of ‘One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’ when stepping onto the moon resonates with so many of us. That sense of venturing into the unknown, which, in truth is just another simple, small step, something we’ve all done many times. Yet somehow, sometimes, it can seem huge and momentous. I know that many teachers feel that way when asked to deliver a dance lesson. It can leave them feeling uncertain, as if venturing into new territory. But Apollo 11’s mission was built upon the knowledge, skills and expertise of a wider team of experts. And, in that same way, your dance provision has BBC Teach’s Step-by-Step to be your mission control, guiding you and your pupils through many adventures into dance. I devised the resource in partnership with the national body and subject association for dance in schools, One Dance UK.
The key steps when planning a space mission include …
Defining mission goals and objectives
Selecting the spacecraft and instruments
Choosing a launch vehicle
Determining the trajectory and navigation path
Assessing potential risks and mitigation strategies
… and that’s actually not so different from creating a successful dance scheme!
In dance, we need to know what we’re trying to achieve: are we ensuring strong dance knowledge; developing opportunities to create and collaborate; or maybe our focus is on making effective cross curriculum links. Our spacecraft and instruments include music and perhaps some props. The launch vehicle is our starting point for the lesson, and the navigation is how we are going to develop the ideas taking due care to ensure safe practice at all times.
Whether you teach Key Stage (KS) 1, 2 or 3, Step-by-Step, will be your ground control, the teachers’ notes will steer you when deciding on your goals and objectives. They continue to be your instruction manual for the various elements within dance so that you can operate confidently and effectively. Props are introduced in some lessons such as with KS1 covering ‘Who Am I?’ where pupils explore their feelings using juggling scarves.
There are audio downloads too. Our launch vehicles for primary include:
- Who am I?;
- Seed dispersal linking to ‘our environment’;
- The Blitz and other aspects about life during World War 2;
- The Firebird alongside other mythological stories;
- Alfred the Great and a range of themes and ideas based on the Anglo-Saxons.
For KS3, we link to developing and structuring a narrative using the inspiration of films with Lights! Camera! Actions! And we connect with geometry and using mathematical language in the Shapeshifters unit. The detailed lesson plans and CPD films set your navigation path and steer you towards the stars with hints and tips along the way. There are also bleeping, flashing lights highlighting the skills and knowledge being developed at each section of the lesson.
Whether you’re new to teaching dance in schools or simply ready to try a new idea or a different approach, Step-by-Step lives up to its name. It takes each element in turn, giving a clear outline of what you do and what you’ll see your pupils doing and more importantly, understanding why you’re doing it.
As an astronaut, it is the rocket that does the work, you simply need to know which buttons to press. In a dance lesson that involves asking a question… “ How can you…?” “What would happen if…?” “Can you find a way of…?” It is the role of the pupils to find ways to respond to those questions; to create shapes and actions; to connect them to build sequences and motifs; to try alternatives and select the best; and then use them to be the building blocks of a dance. As the pilot, your role is to guide the operation towards the goal of your mission and to make all the components work together to make the journey smooth, secure and interesting.
Embarking to a destination where no one has been before must take great courage, but journeying into dance is a well-trodden pathway. The route is set, you have a map, and the journey is clearly signposted throughout. It may be the first time that you are taking the trip, but others have been there before and want to share their experience and wisdom with you. This is just a small step, and then another, and then another… Very soon you’ll be floating through a whole new landscape, enjoying the most fabulous adventure.
So, grab your space suit, climb aboard, buckle up! Let’s take a giant leap!
Claire Pring is a primary dance expert.
To access the BBC Teach Step-by-Step resource, please visit https://rebrand.ly/a14a88
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