Combining and refining Salsa ideas to strive for awareness of bodily tension
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can apply tension to control my shapes and actions.
Key learning points
- Move: consistently applying an appropriate stance contributes to communicating the dance style.
- Think: decision making is utilised to realise how a position can be maintained during action.
- Feel: applying multiple factors at the same time requires resilience.
- Connect: a strong frame held by a partner conveys confidence and instils trust.
Keywords
Tension - how the body is held and controlled
Stance - the posture or position of the body
Frame - how the upper torso, arms, hands and head are held
Common misconception
In Salsa you have to apply tension to your whole body.
In Salsa it is the torso that is firmly held maintaining an upright stance, the arms are also fixed when in hold but change to some degree when moving between holds or when moving independently. The legs largely remain soft and fluid.
Teacher tip
Looking at images or films of Salsa dancers can help pupils identify the application of the stance, tension and frame.
Equipment
Suggested music
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is also a Latin American dance?
Q2.What is it called when a dancer stands with both feet aligned?
Q3.In Salsa, what happens on count 4?
Q4.In dance, what does an ‘embellishment' do?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What physical skill is associated with tension?
Q2.When dancers are ‘in hold’ what relationship are they using?
Q3.What is another word for ‘stance’?
Q4.What is required to hold a strong frame with a partner?
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Combining and refining Salsa ideas to strive for awareness of bodily tension, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Combining and refining Salsa ideas to strive for awareness of bodily tension, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Dance: movie moves unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.