KS2 Latin & Ballroom

Welcome to The Ballroom: Structured Elegance for KS2

Building on the foundations of our KS1 adventure, this course shifts the focus from “magic” to movement mastery. Designed for children in Years 3-6, this series empowers students to take ownership of their posture, timing, and spatial awareness.

While still fun and accessible, the “Royal Ballroom Adventure” evolves into a structured dance class. Children learn to control their bodies, listen deeply to musical phrasing, and work collaboratively with peers to create smooth, flowing patterns.

What’s Different in KS2?

• From Story to Structure: We replace “magic crowns” with technical cues for alignment and core strength.
• Real Partner Skills: Students progress from imaginary partners to non-contact and light-contact partner work, emphasizing consent and communication.
• Musicality: A deeper focus on the 3/4 Waltz timing (ONE-two-three) and moving on the strong beat.

Course Breakdown (30-40 Mins): This linear lesson plan is designed to be taught in one session or split over two:

1. Welcome & Context: Understanding the history and “character” of the Waltz.
2. Posture & Control: Warm-up exercises focusing on “The Frame” and balance.
3. Rhythm Challenge: Interactive games to internalize the Waltz pulse.
4. Travelling Phrases: Learning to glide across the floor with the “Step-Step-Close” pattern.
5. Partner Responsibility: A guided session on leading, following, and respecting personal space.
6. Creative Task: Small groups create their own short sequence showing an emotion (Joy, Pride, Calm).

🎓 Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, pupils will be able to:

• Physical: Maintain a strong, upright posture while travelling and performing turns.
• Technical: Execute the basic Waltz box step or travelling step with fluid control.
• Musical: Identify the first beat of the bar (the “downbeat”) and initiate movement on it.
• Social: Demonstrate leadership and cooperation in a partnership, communicating verbally and non-verbally.

📚 Curriculum Ties & National Curriculum Alignment

This course supports higher-level targets in the KS2 National Curriculum:

• PE (Dance):
  • Perform dances using a range of movement patterns.
  • Compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best.
  • Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control, and balance.
• Music:
  • Appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and great composers.
  • Develop an understanding of the history of music.
• PSHE (Relationships):
  • Developing healthy relationships and respecting differences.
  • Understanding consent and personal boundaries (essential for partner dance).
• Cultural Capital:
  • Exposure to traditional ballroom styles and their social context.

Why Teachers Choose This Progression

• Clear Pathway: Seamlessly follows our KS1 course but stands alone perfectly for older beginners.
• Gender Neutral: Focuses on “Lead and Follow” or “Partner A and Partner B” rather than boy/girl roles.
• Assessment Ready: Includes clear success criteria for peer and self-assessment during the creative task.