Creative Movement Start

Lesson Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 7 students to creative movement through popular dances—the Cha-Cha Slide and the Nutbush—as well as engaging group dance games. The lesson develops fundamental movement skills, rhythmic awareness, and cooperative skills aligned with the Australian Curriculum (v9) for Health and Physical Education.

Class size: 20 students
Age group: Year 7 (typically 12-13 years old)
Curriculum alignment: Australian Curriculum v9, Health and Physical Education – Movement and Physical Activity (ACPMP060, ACPMP061)

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Perform basic steps of the Cha-Cha Slide and Nutbush with correct rhythm and coordination (ACPMP061)
• Respond to musical cues by moving safely and creatively in space (ACPMP060)
• Work cooperatively in groups to perform set dance actions and form shapes/letters as a group (ACPMP063)
• Demonstrate safe personal and social behaviours during physical activity (ACPPS075)

---

Success Criteria

Students will be successful if they:

• Accurately perform Cha-Cha Slide and Nutbush steps with appropriate timing
• Follow musical cues promptly to transition between activities and group formations
• Cooperate to create group formations as instructed
• Demonstrate understanding of spatial awareness, safety, and respect during games and dances

---

Differentiation Strategies

• For students needing support with coordination or rhythm:
  • Provide clear, slower demonstrations and count aloud steps
  • Pair with a peer buddy for modelling and encouragement
  • Allow modified movements (e.g., smaller steps or slower pace)
• For advanced or confident dancers:
  • Challenge to add styling or arm movements to dances
  • Encourage leadership roles in group formation activities
• For students with physical disabilities:
  • Adapt movements to seated or limited mobility options
  • Encourage use of upper body or clapping rhythms to participate fully

---

Equipment Needed

• Portable music player with Cha-Cha Slide and Nutbush tracks
• Open space indoors or outdoors clear of hazards
• Markers or cones for group formations (optional)

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Warm-up (10 minutes)

• Teacher explains lesson objective: Introduction to creative movement through dance and games.
• Brief discussion: "Has anyone heard or danced the Cha-Cha Slide or Nutbush before?"
• Warm-up activity: Simple whole-body movements to music (e.g., marching on spot, arm circles, light stretching) to prepare muscles.

2. Learning Cha-Cha Slide (10 minutes)

• Teacher demonstrates key steps of Cha-Cha Slide slowly, emphasising rhythm and foot placement.
• Play the Cha-Cha Slide music and practise as a class twice.
• Correct and encourage students to keep timing and posture.

3. Learning Nutbush (10 minutes)

• Teacher demonstrates Nutbush line dance steps with counts.
• Practice Nutbush music with the class twice.
• Encourage attention to repetition and synchronisation.

4. Dance Games (25 minutes)

Game 1: Freeze and Group Action (10 minutes)

• Play either Cha-Cha Slide or Nutbush music, students dance freely.
• When music stops, teacher gives a verbal cue for group formation:
  • "Groups of 3 with toes together"
  • "Groups of 4 with everyone at different levels (standing, sitting, kneeling)"
• Groups quickly form and hold the shape for 5 seconds, then dissolve to dance again.
• Repeat several rounds with different group sizes and actions.

Game 2: Musical Chairs with a Twist (5 minutes)

• Set up chairs in a circle, one less than the number of students.
• Play dance music, students move around chairs dancing creatively on the spot.
• When music stops, find a seat; the one left standing performs a quick dance move solo, then rejoins game (or assist with group actions if excluded).

Game 3: Alphabet Dance Groups (10 minutes)

• Play music and when it stops, students form groups to shape a letter called out by the teacher.
• Use body poses and levels to form the letter shape creatively.
• After forming multiple letters, students spell a simple word (e.g., D-A-N-C-E), moving together into the correct letter groups.
• Discuss how teamwork and creativity help achieve the shapes.

5. Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Slow walking and stretching with calming music.
• Group reflection questions:
  • What did you enjoy about the dances?
  • How did working in groups help you?
  • What skills did you use today (e.g., listening, moving, cooperating)?
• Reinforce positive behaviours observed and encourage continued practice at home.

---

Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum Descriptor	Lesson Activity
ACPMP060 – Practise and refine fundamental movement skills to develop a range of specialised movement sequences and concepts in different physical activity contexts.	Practice of Cha-Cha Slide and Nutbush steps.
ACPMP061 – Apply movement concepts and strategies to adapt and refine movement in response to feedback and challenges.	Adapting dance movements during group activities.
ACPMP063 – Work collaboratively to plan and perform movement sequences.	Group formation and cooperative dance games.
ACPPS075 – Demonstrate personal and social skills to interact respectfully with others in physical activities.	Safe group interactions during games and dances.

---

This lesson plan fosters a joyful, active environment where students build foundational dance skills, creativity, and physical cooperation. The use of culturally recognisable dances like the Cha-Cha Slide and Nutbush engages students and connects to contemporary children’s movements, making the introduction to dance meaningful and memorable.