Starter 1: Connecting shapes

Dance element used: Body and space awareness

Instruction:
1. In pairs, student 'A' makes a frozen shape of any kind of object, while student 'B' dances around 'A'
for 8 counts
2. 'B' ends up in front of 'A' on the 8th count, and they connect somehow and freeze for 2 counts
3. Student 'A' carefully removes herself from the shape without disturbing 'B' for 2 counts
4. Repeat 1 to 3 with roles swapped.
Variation
The students may try out more and different interesting shapes, levels, and connections when they freeze.

Starter 2: Shadow and mirror

Dance element used: Relationship awareness
Instruction:
1. Students form groups of three.
2. Student 'A' faces student 'B', and student 'C' stands behind 'B'.
3. Student 'A' does action, 'B' mirrors it, and 'C' shadows 'B'. The movements will be done for 8 counts
4. After 8 counts the students change roles.

Starter 3: Mirroring
Dance element used: Relationships awareness, Space Awareness, Body Awareness
Instruction: In pairs, student 'A' mirrors the actions of student 'B'. Student 'B' needs to move slowly to
make sure 'A' can keep up.
1. Begin by sitting and focusing on moving hands in only, in slow motion for 2 counts
2. Progressively add the rest of the body, starting with head for 2 counts and shoulders for 2 counts
3. Move onto knees, to give more upper-body movement possibilities for 2 counts
4. Move to standing position to involve the chest 2 counts, abdomen 2 counts, hips 2 counts and legs
2 counts
Then repeat the whole sequence and pair change role for 3 more times.

Starter 4: Different body parts

Dance element used: Body awareness
Instruction:
1. The group will form a circle and will assign the first leader to lead the group
2. Each student will take turn to lead the group. All the movements will be done in 8 counts using
personal space.
3. The leader my lead using any kind of movements combining movement of the following body
a. Hands, shoulders, arms, legs or knees and heels
Ex. flicking hands, shrugging shoulders, extending arms, bending and flexing the knees and
raising the heels
4. On the first two counts the rest of the group will observe the leader and will follow on the 3 rd to 8th
counts. And the next leader will take the lead for the right after the 8th count.
5. The rest of class observes the leader, and then follows the leader by repeating the action.
Variation
Incorporate locomotor activity with the body part isolation, such as walking clockwise around the circle
while flicking wrists.
Starter 5: Follow the leader
Dance elements used: Relationships awareness and Space awareness
Instruction
1. In pairs one will act as the first leader. The leader stands in front of the follower.
2. While travelling in general space, the follower copies the leader's movement. The aim of this
activity is for the pair to work together, so the leader must create movements that are easy to
follow.
3. The dance movement will be done in 8 counts and after 8 counts the pairs will stop and will do a
jump to turn to face the other way, with the follower becoming the next leader.
4. The next leader will lead using her own movements and after 8 counts the pair will stop and jump
to turn the other way and face another partner.
5. The cycle will continue until everybody was able lead and follow others.
Variation
Use this activity to explore spatial floor pathways. Ask the leaders to explore various pathways such as
circular or zigzag using a variety of locomotor activities.

Starter 6: Group sculptures

Dance elements used: Body awareness and Relationships Awareness
Instructions:
1. The students move in general space in their own ways with the music. They may use any kind of locomotor
movements for 8 counts.
2. After 8 counts they have to form a sculpture or shape and freeze or be in still position for 8 counts.
3. The group will repeat the 1 and 2 for 4 more times doing moving their whole body and forming different shapes in
every repetition.
4. The group should use contrasting levels and round or angular shapes.
Shape variations
A variety of shape can be used. Just choose those that are easier to form and will maximize the space the body itself.