Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Teachers

Starting a primary dance group

Teacher dance resource developed by The Arts Unit

About this resource

Welcome to Starting a primary dance group. 

This resource has been developed by experienced dance educators to support primary teachers in their establishment and the smooth running of their school dance groups. 

From the experienced dance teacher to the teacher with '2 left feet', this resource will offer advice, tip and tricks and practical resources to get you and your students dancing.

Dance is the physical expression through movement and rhythm of relationships, feelings and ideas. Nobody invented dance. It is deep in the heart of every culture throughout history; dance is part of the pulse of humanity. It embraces multiple genres, styles and traditions and is constantly evolving. Sir Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica

Why start a dance group?

A dance group can raise the public image of your school and increase engagement levels for students and the wider school community. 

Dance improves physical health, enhances emotional and cognitive development and encourages socialisation and creativity. 

Dance involves performing, composing and appreciating through the elements of dance (action, dynamics, time, space, relationships and structure). 

Resource sections

This resource can be used in sequence or you can select the buttons below to go to the sections of interest to you.

Third-party content attributions 

Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus, © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2006, copied under s113P, accessed 9 October 2021.

State Dance Festival images 1-5, photographer: Anna Warr.