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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 9

Move, don’t move: relationships and stillness

I can use stillness to add contrast.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 9

Move, don’t move: relationships and stillness

I can use stillness to add contrast.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: stillness requires the precise use of balance, strength and control.
  2. Move: an aesthetic dance will include both physical and expressive skills.
  3. Think: deciding when and how to apply stillness involves evaluating the effect from the audience’s perspective.
  4. Feel: useful feedback is delivered with honesty and integrity.
  5. Connect: making adjustments to choreography requires all performers to cooperate fully.

Keywords

  • Stillness - the absence of motion

  • Contrast - distinctly different

  • Staging - how the audience are positioned for a performance

Common misconception

The audience are always directly facing the stage/performers.

Whilst most theatres use an 'end on' arrangement, this isn't always the case. Fashion shows traditionally use a 'thrust' stage, lecture-demonstrations might use 'in the round' and performances such as Mummers' plays, may use 'promenade'.


To help you plan your year 9 physical education lesson on: Move, don’t move: relationships and stillness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

When sharing work during a lesson, it is often easier for less experienced pupils to move the location of the audience than ask the performers to reorientate their work.
Teacher tip

Equipment

suggested music

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What term is used to describe how a motif is changed?

Correct answer: developed
deviated
deranged

Q2.
In dance, which of these is a physical skill?

Correct answer: stamina
focus
projection

Q3.
Which of the following is a method of motif variation?

changing the music
changing the lighting
Correct answer: changing the formation

Q4.
What are distinguishing traits of a dance called?

actions
dance features
Correct answer: style features

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is not a type of staging arrangement?

end on
promenade
Correct answer: barre

Q2.
What physical skill does stillness require?

Correct answer: control
coordination
flexibility

Q3.
What term is used for choreography that is distinctly different?

compare
Correct answer: contrast
contort

Q4.
What do the audience do during a ‘promenade’ performance?

Correct answer: follow the performers
join in
sit in deckchairs