Year 2 Dance Unit 2 Lesson 2

This activity helps prepare pupils to understand and use the idea of a clock face to guide movement and direction in dance.

Set up: Set up two clock face areas in the hall if space allows, splitting the class in half. Place cones around each circle to represent 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, spaced evenly.

How to play:

• All children begin standing in the centre of their clock face, facing 12 o’clock.
• The group calls out, “What’s the time, Mr Wolf?”
• The teacher replies with one of the times: 12, 3, 6, or 9 o’clock.
• Children quickly move toward that area (they don’t need to touch the cone, just move in the right direction).
• Everyone then returns to the centre and faces 12 o’clock again, ready for the next round.

Extension: To add challenge, pupils must always face 12 o’clock—so they will need to sidestep, jog backwards, or adjust how they move to reach the correct direction.

Set-Up:

• Spread pupils out with enough space to step in any direction without bumping into others.
• Ask pupils to imagine they are standing inside a clock face about the size of a dustbin lid. This helps them understand that all movements should be within one step.
• For support, place cones or markers at key points: 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock.

Demonstration Tips:

Stand at the front of the class to model the movements. You can demonstrate in two ways:

• Matching: Face the same way as the children so they copy your exact movements.
• Mirroring: Face the children and step in the opposite direction so they mirror you.

Choose the approach based on what works best for your group—many younger pupils find matching easier to follow.

Activity Instructions:

• Starting Position: Pupils stand in their imaginary clock face with feet together, facing 12 o’clock.
• Step Practice: Call out times on the clock (e.g. “Step to 3 o’clock!”), and pupils step toward that direction and return to the centre. Repeat with different times.
• Counting Rhythm: Introduce a slow count of 8 to help them move in rhythm. Have pupils gently bounce their knees in place to the beat.
• Repeat this rhythm a few times, gradually increasing speed as pupils gain confidence and coordination.

✔︎ See video and worksheet

• Section 1 – Right Foot Steps (8 beats total)
  • Start with 2 gentle knee bounces (counts 1–2) – Keep your left foot in the centre at all times.
  • Step your right foot to: * 12 o’clock (step out and return – counts 3–4) * 3 o’clock (step out and return – counts 5–6) * 6 o’clock (step out and return – counts 7–8)
  • Repeat this full 8-beat pattern several times until pupils feel confident and secure.
• Section 2 – Left Foot Steps (8 beats total)
  • Start again with 2 knee bounces (counts 1–2). Keep your right foot in the centre
  • Step your left foot to: * 12 o’clock (step out and return – counts 3–4) * 9 o’clock (step out and return – counts 5–6) * 6 o’clock (step out and return – counts 7–8)
  • Repeat until pupils can do this section confidently.

Combine Both Sections (16 beats total)

• Perform Section 1 + Section 2 back to back
• Practise the full 16-beat sequence several times
• Encourage pupils to move with control and keep time without counting out loud

Extension: Gradually speed up the count of 8 as pupils become more confident or try performing the sequence to music.

✔︎ See video and worksheet

Section 3 – Alternating Legs to 6 o’clock (8 beats)

• Start with both feet in the centre, knees slightly bent
• Keep the left foot in the middle, step the right foot back to 6 o’clock and return to the centre (counts 1–2)
• Keep the right foot in the middle, step the left foot back to 6 o’clock and return (counts 3–4)
• Continue alternating feet, always stepping to 6 o’clock and back, matching each movement to a beat
• Practise slowly, then gradually speed up the count
• When confident, add music

Extension – Add Arm Movement

• When feet are together in the centre, place both hands on your knees
• As you step back to 6 o’clock, raise your arms backwards, following the leg movement
• Keep the arm and leg movement smooth and controlled

Final Performance – Putting It All Together

• Section 1 & 2 (Right foot lead, then left foot lead – total 16 beats)
• Section 3 (Alternating legs to 6 o’clock – 8 beats)

Total dance phrase = 3 x 8 beats

• Let pupils copy you at first while you demonstrate the full sequence
• Then ask them to perform the phrase without your lead, working independently

Invite individuals or pairs to perform for the class. Ask the audience to give positive feedback using sentence starters like:

• “I liked the way you…”
• “You kept in time when…”
• “Next time you could try…”