In the first dance session the children put on space-suits and prepare for launch.
1. Preparing to launch
The unit begins with travelling around the room while getting dressed as an astronaut and gathering equipment for a space journey. A countdown needs sudden changes between still shapes (using different levels and directions), in response to the numbers counting down from 10 to 1. Small groups then build a rocket, using their bodies for the rocket parts, and make it lift off. Finally, the children imagine operating the rocket controls, seeing the earth disappear and the moon come into view.
Resources
Download the audio for this dance session as an mp3 file.
Guidance on using the dance sessions in this unit with your group (pdf)
Download extended music sequences for this unit (without presenter instructions)
Movement focus
Action: Twisting, bending, reaching, bouncing, travelling, balancing, stretching.
Dynamics: Strong, sudden, smooth and sustained.
Space: Indirect pathways. Levels. Directions.
Relationships: Contrasting and complementary pair work. Contact work in a group.
More units from KS1 Dance: Time to Move
Spring in the garden. collection
Three dance sessions exploring the changes that happen in gardens and open spaces during Spring.
Fruit and veg. collection
Exploring food through movement and dance.
Pinocchio. collection
A three-part unit taking the famous story of Pinocchio as the inspiration for children's dances.
