Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Dance: can you choreograph your own expressive dance performance?

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can create an original dance phrase using different dynamics and expression.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: ensuring our movements demonstrate a range of dynamics and expression enables a clear performance.
      2. Think: evaluating and improving our performance ensures that the motif's message is clear.
      3. Feel: striving to improve the quality and clarity of a motif requires resilience.
      4. Connect: imagining how my movements would relate to others and the music makes the performance feel expressive.

      Keywords

      • Choreography - making a dance

      • Expressive skill - performance qualities made up of musicality, focus, projection, extension, facial expression

      • Performance - the act of executing the skill to the best of your ability, especially when it counts

      Common misconception

      A dance routine cannot repeat any motifs within it.

      A dance routine can use repeated phrases of movement, for example, when a chorus comes back on within the song.

      Equipment

      Optional choice of music.

      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

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Which one is an example of an action?

      Correct answer: gesture
      left
      low

      Q2.
      In which way could you explore the space more in your dance?

      move quicker
      Correct answer: use different directions
      add energy in

      Q3.
      What would change if you altered the speed of an action?

      the space
      the movement
      Correct answer: the dynamics

      Q4.
      What is a recurring pattern in dance also known as?

      Correct answer: a motif
      a beat
      mirroring action

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What is another word for 'making up' a dance?

      motif
      Correct answer: choreography
      musicality

      Q2.
      What do you not need to take into account when creating your own choreography?

      space
      Correct answer: room colour
      dynamics

      Q3.
      Expressive skills are performance qualities made up of musicality, projection, extension, facial extension and what else?

      confidence
      actions
      Correct answer: focus

      Q4.
      How could you make an action have better projection?

      make it smaller
      Correct answer: make it bigger
      make it quicker

      To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Dance: can you choreograph your own expressive dance performance?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...