The session explores the life of children working 'in service' - as servants - in grand Victorian houses.
2. Life in service
For children working 'in service' the hours were long and the jobs were often hard and repetitive. They had to remember at all times a strict code of conduct - for example, 'making space' - and punishment could be swift and severe for even small lapses.
Resources
Download the audio for this dance session as an mp3 file
Download / print guidance on using the dance sessions in this unit (pdf)
Lesson summary
Warm up: âMaking spaceâ. Servant dancers bow or curtsey and then shrink back as the master dancers travel confidently by. Swap roles and repeat.
Sequence 1: Laundry dance â In pairs. Rhythmic, repetitive gestures inspired by pummelling, wringing, ironing and carrying heavy piles of laundry.
Sequences 2 and 3: Rich or poor? Solo then small group work. A carefree, playful sequence based on the life of wealthy Victorian children is contrasted with a sequence portraying the drudgery of life as a child in domestic service.
Cool down: Slowly lowering the head towards the chest, then gradually curling the spine to lower the top half of the body towards the floor. Bending legs and using hands to help sit back onto bottom.
Other units of KS2 Dance Workshop
The reign of King Henry 8th. collection
The reign of King Henry and life in Tudor England explored through Tudor dance and movement.
Romans. collection
A series of KS2 dance sessions for primary pupils aged 7 - 11 exploring the theme of Romans.
In the gym. collection
Two dance sessions focusing on personal health and fitness inspired by a gym workout.
See also...
Working in service. audio
âThe maidâ consists of three episodes about what life was like for domestic servants during the Victorian era.
The Victorians. collection
Age 7 - 11. Short dramas about key people and events from the era and also the lives of children. Topics include chimney sweeps, street children, Victorian inventions, Brunel, the Crystal Palace, the railways.
History - Victorians. collection
KS1 / KS2
