Actions: upper and lowercase letter shapes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create and develop motifs based on letter shapes.
Key learning points
- Move: we need to use precision to recreate the shapes of the letters accurately using clear actions.
- Think: changing two-dimensional shapes into three-dimensional actions requires resourcefulness.
- Feel: collaborating with others involves self-discipline.
- Connect: describing ideas and planning work requires clear communication.
Keywords
Collaborate - work together
Motif - an action or series of actions that are repeated
Shape - a position or pose that can be held
Common misconception
There is only one way to make a certain shape (e.g. a wide star-shaped stretch for the letter 'X').
There are many possible responses - the shapes can be recreated using just part of the body or all of it. Changing between sitting, lying and standing is also an option as well as incorporating balances or jumps.
Teacher tip
Having an immediately accessible visual display of the letters as both capitals and lowercase is likely to help many children. The pupils could do this themselves using whiteboards.
Equipment
additional materials: suggested music
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is working in a group of three also known as?
Q2.Which of these is a dance action?
Q3.What do we use to create new ideas?
Q4.What do we demonstrate when we control how we move?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.In dance, how can you change a motif?
Q2.What do we mean by ‘collaborate’?
Q3.How many ways can we create shapes using our bodies?
Q4.What is an action that is performed more than once in a dance called?
To help you plan your 3 physical education lesson on: Actions: upper and lowercase letter shapes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 physical education lesson on: Actions: upper and lowercase letter shapes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Dance: my word links to language unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.