Themed Lessons for KS1 & 2 Dance - dance notes

“I liked how the lessons are structured and the music is a great help. This is something a lot of the teachers struggle with so to have it all in one place is just great. “

“What a fantastic find your site is. You have thought of everything. I'm a HLTA with 2 left feet and no experience, so your resources are a godsend.”

"The notes were very easy to follow; my kids absolutely loved the whole experience and responded really well to the music, which was amazing."

"The notes were very easy to follow and I didn't have to plan anything as I just followed your notes. We put together the dance and videoed it and evaluated it as a class."

“Thank you ever so much for your help. It's brilliant to know that there is an expert to turn to. I have been recommending your website!”

"My class are absolutely loving this program. I am amazed at how well they are listening to the music, moving their bodies appropriately and even using facial expressions."

“Dance Notes has to be the most effective resource I have ever come across. It is concise, flexible and every school should have it.”

"I really appreciated the well-written, easy to follow lesson plan, which was a pleasure to deliver. The children just loved the music and the whole experience linked perfectly with their topic."

"It has been excellent to have detailed plans, with music ready to go, to deliver a really great experience for the children which is linked to other curriculum areas."

"We have all found the materials and plans really easy to use, adapt and extend the children's dance curriculum and the children have really enjoyed them (as well as the teachers!)."

"The kids are living it, the music is just right, easy to follow. I'm a PE coach who does PPA and this makes it so much easier, I would definitely recommend."

A Growing Library of Themed Lessons

Choose from a growing library of themed lessons for KS 1 & 2 Dance. Each comes complete with integrated music & supplementary teaching notes. Available immediately and delivered to suit how you work – by download (with mp3s), download plus CD, or pre-printed (with CD).

Themed Lessons to Support Your Classroom Activities

Each scheme is themed to tie in with a popular classroom topic. This is a terrific way for children to really immerse themselves in a subject and great for pupils that may otherwise struggle with learning. To find a topic, click Lessons in the main menu. Then scroll through all the plans, browse by Key Stage/subject-area or enter a keyword to search.

Your Lessons Planned

Save hours of research, planning and searching for suitable music. Just follow the simple instructions provided and let your pupils do the work. You will lead them effortlessly through six weeks of dance activity. This is structured to provide continuity and development throughout the term.

The movement content will come from the pupils’ own ideas. Which means your job is merely to provide the framework and encouragement as you would in any subject. Each scheme is designed to deliver both the dance requirement of the PE curriculum and aid learning on the chosen topic.

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A Choice of Music Options

How would you like us to deliver the music for your lessons? You may be happy to download mp3s and transfer these to a suitable device for playback. This option is standard with the basic download. However, many schools still rely on a CD player for music playback. So you can opt to have the tracks sent to you in this format. Or you may want to have the whole lesson pack printed and posted. Whichever you choose, simply select the relevant option when you check-out your order.

Supporting Documents

As mentioned, you will find that the plans are clean and simple. We have presented them as you might your own teaching notes and designed them to be usable in the classroom. But there may be elements that require a little more explanation. So we have provided, with each pack, a set of supporting documents to help you fully understand how to achieve your aims. And should you need anything else, we are only a phone call or email away. Let us know what you require and a specialist dance teacher will come back to you at the earliest convenience.

Anything Missing?

And should you be planning for a topic that we have not yet covered, get in touch. If we consider it to be a subject that will benefit other schools as well, we will create a plan to order and add it to the library for all to use.

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FAQs

Our creative partners: Make a Move

Planned & Delivered Child-Centred Learning Lessons for KS1&2 Meet The Team Your Videos

Dance Notes has given me the confidence to deliver Dance, something I have always struggled with or avoided. There are plenty of topics and themes to choose from and it is easy to use. Because there are no ‘rights and wrong’s about what children’s responses are, children were confident to join in and do what they felt and wanted rather than think ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I can’t dance’. Some boys who can sometimes be disruptive were totally engaged in Rough and Tumble. Also, because children can choose their own movements, there were less ‘rules’. Children were back from school after lockdown and thoroughly enjoyed moving and expressing themselves to music. Because the music is there ready and the plans are written for you, there is no scrabbling around finding suitable music. I would previously avoid teaching dance as I didn’t have plans or music.

Trish

This is the best dance scheme of work that I have used in my 40 years of teaching and even better than a dance teacher that comes into school. The children are very engaged in dance and enjoy it much more than they used to do. By doing the dance moves they are able to understand how people used to live. I have had many students who find it difficult to work with others but dance notes helped them find the confidence to change. I have had students who were not willing to join in with dance but with dance notes they find it enjoyable. The notes are so clear and well structured and the tracks are available too so there is no need for new planning.

Pauline

It is so easy to use with loads of possible units that can be used across the year.

Dance Notes has massively helped my planning of cross curricular dance. The children have really enjoyed the lessons. They have been able to bring their learning from the classroom and turn it into performance which has been joyous to watch. My planning time was cut in half with the use of Dance Notes

Kelly

Easy to follow instructions with the music. Good pair and group work. Fits well with my Ancient Greece topic. Thanks so much! It’s a great unit – it worked so well I’m doing it again this year.

Anna

I wanted to contact you and let your team know how useful we have found your resources. They have given our staff the confidence to deliver dance, knowing that their lessons will cover age-appropriate content. The plans clearly cover and develop choreographic/performance and appreciation skills and knowledge.

The topics you offer have allowed us to deliver and make truly cross curricular links within each year group. To have the music included has not only saved time but made the lessons fun for both staff and pupils.

I have been so impressed by the friendly, helpful and efficient service…thank you.

Finola

It was just what I was looking for. The planning for our circus dance unit was done for me. They encouraged the children to work together. The children behaved well in the dance lessons as they enjoyed them.

Lisa

They are lovely ideas set to fantastic music. Saves times finding appropriate music. The activities lend themselves to children creating movement together. Children are always engaged. Different ways of moving.

Cathy

The lessons are clear and easy to follow for any member of staff and the bonus is having the music provided with the lessons so teachers don’t need to spend hours searching for music. The lessons are detailed and planned out so no need to do much before the lessons. The lessons encourage collaboration whether it be paired work, small group work and whole class performance. The themes are able to be linked to topics in school which gives more of a purpose to the lessons. Well being is promoted by keeping children active. Gives pupils ideas on composing dances, movement sequences and choreography ideas.

Kate

Well resourced. Lessons easy to follow and adapt if teachers wish. Significantly reduces teacher workload. Boys and girls work well together as there are ‘boy’ themes they engage with. Boys more willing to join in.

Sallyann

Provides good lesson ideas, including warm ups and cool downs, building to a final piece at the end of the unit.

Tim

Great music. Activities are a good starting point. To be a 10, maybe some examples of shapes or videos of dances to inspire pupils or teachers who don’t know what they don’t know. Increased engagement leads to pupils applying themselves more resulting in improved motifs, shapes and sequences.

Ella

I have already recommended to Year 5 in my school and in September will encourage other year groups to use the scheme. Some of the boys in the class are more intrigued as the music and improvisation is more interesting. Children are more aware of terminology whilst dancing. Children want to push themselves to create a piece of dance. Following the lesson materials means we don’t have to create and source music or plans.

Sophie

Dance Notes has had a positive impact on the children who initially did not think that they would enjoy dance. Engagement in the lessons is high and behaviour is good. As the sports coach, I also feel a lot more confident in teaching dance now, as I did before I started using Dance Notes.

Jonathan

It was easy to order, lessons were enjoyed and I felt like the children had accomplished new skills at the end. They learned about the way people lived and moved during Stone Age Britain and created some great group dances. Boys are often reluctant to take part but enjoyed this dance unit and we’re actively engaged. The unit of work was easy to pick up and deliver . Saved lots of time.

Catherine

The resources- notes and music- were excellent. Clear to follow. Such a time-saver for the non-specialist. Children responded well and enjoyed the dance lessons.

All KS1 teachers found good to use. All PE helps develop fine and gross motor skills, which helps overall attainment . Dance notes motivated the children. Good vocabulary included. Good partner and group work. Motivation leads to better behaviour. Dance helps creativity and hence well being.

Rose

I have only used 1 unit so don’t have loads of experience using dance notes but I’ve really enjoyed what I have used. Clear guidance for teachers leads to better focus on learning in lessons and extends technical vocabulary. Partner and group work in the pirate unit children were motivated by the music to be creative and work together. Most children motivated and positive towards dancing. Helped some children gain confidence. Well-being music has a very positive impact and helps to motivate. Repetition of music linked to each lesson also builds confidence.

Jane

The lessons are easy to follow, the music is good and appropriate. The children are able to create movements very creatively using the ideas in the lessons. They can hear the speed of the music and adjust the speed and style of their movement. Many ideas provided require group work and collaboration in actions. The children are engaged and enjoy the activities so are less likely to misbehave.

Liz

Easy to follow lesson plans. Great ideas. Super music choices. Covers all aspects of dance and pupils are always engaged.

Melissa

Very cost effective set of planning complete with suitable music and excellent, expert content. Children can more readily describe their understanding using technical vocabulary. Plenty of group choreography opportunities and peer assessment moments. Where children previously couldn’t use dance related vocabulary to describe their performance and learning, they can now readily do that! Better in-lesson behaviour for learning.

Elton

Lesson plans have broad and varied subject content for Dance with cross curricular themes. Dance Notes provides music tracks of varied styles that stand alone or accompany the lesson plans. Children are motivated by the lesson plans. Lesson plans teach children about key dance principles. Children create dances in duets, trios and small groups. Differentiation is offered within lesson plans. The lesson plans are age appropriate in content and children enjoy them.

Lucilla

It offers teachers of all knowledge level and confidence the chance to offer dance lessons for all students. Participation in dance has improved dramatically. All children totally engaged with lessons – lots of topic areas offered for boys, who can sometimes lack interest. A great amount of collaboration in lessons. Wellbeing has been helped by children having the opportunity in engaging dance lessons.

Sarah

Allows all children to take part and work together. All get involved and have a purpose in the lesson. Music not always liked by the children.

Joanne

Clear, simple to follow planning with all resources together. Lots of topics covered.

Katie