Contact work: counter balances and supports
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create and combine different types of contact work ideas safely to communicate a dance idea effectively.
Key learning points
- Move: accuracy requires control in what and how the actions are performed.
- Think: choreography using contact work requires careful planning and problem solving.
- Feel: contact work requires all performers to be responsible at all times.
- Connect: rehearsing to improve all aspects of performance involves collaboration from all.
Keywords
Story - using our bodies and movements to communicate a message, feeling or event
Contact work - a choreographic relationship involving touch
Performance - the display of a series of actions
Common misconception
Telling a story in dance (narrative dance) should include talking.
Whilst some dances include dialogue, in dance a story is usually communicated solely through actions and the performers are usually silent.
Teacher tip
Focus and facial expression are likely to be very useful when performing a narrative dance based on a disagreement, by a simple action such as looking away from someone (focus) or a smile (facial expression) a performer can communicate whether they like or dislike another person.
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 type of choreographic relationship is a support?
Q2.In order to remain safe, how should performers work when collaborating?
Q3.Why is it important to maintain some bodily tension when being supported?
Q4.What process, used in choreography, enables creativity and originality?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How can we tell a story through dance?
Q2.Whose responsibility is it to make sure everyone is working safely?
Q3.Why should a performer control their actions?
Q4.What will problem solving and collaboration lead to?
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: Contact work: counter balances and supports, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: Contact work: counter balances and supports, 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: the power of unity unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.