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      Dance: can you create a range of movements to represent different animals?

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can create a range of actions that are uniquely different to represent different characters.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: representing animal characters requires creating big, clear actions performed with control.
      2. Think: ensuring that there is a unique difference between the different animal characters created requires imagination.
      3. Feel: trying hard to ensure our dance ideas are of the highest quality requires self-belief.
      4. Connect: watching others' ideas and suggesting ways they could improve requires focus and empathy.

      Keywords

      • Unique - being one of a kind or unlike anything else

      • Character - the set of qualities, traits and values that define an animal's behaviour and personality

      • Create - to make or produce something new using imagination, skill or effort

      Common misconception

      You may think that all animals move in the same way or have the same personality.

      Animals move differently and show different characteristics. For example, a lion is strong and proud, while a butterfly is gentle and light. Their movements should look and feel different when we dance.

      Equipment

      Optional music - The Animal Dance, Danny Go! Kids songs about animals

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What is an action?

      reading
      Correct answer: a movement
      writing

      Q2.
      How might you use an action to express feeling scared?

      smiling, looking up
      jumping up quickly
      Correct answer: hiding behind hands

      Q3.
      What is a balanced position?

      move quickly
      Correct answer: freeze, hold pose
      jump up quickly

      Q4.
      Which word best describes how a crocodile moves?

      sleepily
      Correct answer: snappy
      slither

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a character?

      moving fast
      Correct answer: set of qualities
      using imagination

      Q2.
      Which word best describes a turtle's character?

      Correct answer: gentle
      brave
      playful

      Q3.
      What is a motif?

      Correct answer: a recurring pattern
      a loud song
      a fast move

      Q4.
      Which statement is true?

      animals move identically
      Correct answer: animals move differently
      animals drive cars

      To help you plan your 1 physical education lesson on: Dance: can you create a range of movements to represent different animals?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...