Teachers TV: The Suitcase Dance

A World War II evacuee’s suitcase and its contents are the stimulus for an unusual KS2 (Year 5) dance lesson.
This lesson starter can be used for cross-curricular teaching, to complement History, and be used in PE, in dance and movement.
The suitcase inspires a discussion about journeys:
• On what sort of journey would you travel with this suitcase?
• What kind of person might travel with this suitcase?
• How might they be feeling when they are carrying the suitcase?
Flash cards with action words ‘Reach’, ‘Jump’, ‘Roll’ and ‘Turn’ can help the children develop travelling sequences, both alone and in pairs. The teacher can encourage them to use dynamics (fast and slow) to vary the quality of the movement.
Duets can be developed by asking the children to include two moments of physical contact with their partner and to begin reflecting on the theme of evacuees – finding an emotional quality to the travelling sequence.