Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

the choreographic process

FoundationHigherAll Boards

4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: the choreographic process

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about the choreographic process. Then check against the key terms: key terms from the choreographic process. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: key terms from the choreographic process.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: the choreographic process. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Dance because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: explain the key ideas of the choreographic process

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about the choreographic process.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: the choreographic process

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on the choreographic process. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: The choreographic process is the journey from initial idea to a finished dance piece
Key Fact: It begins with selecting a stimulus — something that inspires movement creation
Key Fact: Exploration involves experimenting with movement ideas freely and without judgement
Key Fact: Selection means choosing the most effective movement material from what was explored
Key Fact: Refinement is the careful shaping and polishing of selected movement material
Key Fact: The process is not always linear — choreographers often revisit earlier stages

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: explain the key ideas of the choreographic process

Answer:

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: the choreographic process

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: key terms from the choreographic process. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Work through the practice questions on the revision notes page for this topic.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: the choreographic process

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Exam-Style Question

Attempt a past-paper style question on the choreographic process from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.

Exam Tips: Use the terms 'exploration, selection, refinement' directly in exam answers — they are key AQA vocabulary | Always link your answer to how each stage helps communicate the choreographic intention | Mention that the process is cyclical, not linear — examiners look for this understanding | Give specific examples of what a choreographer might do at each stage | In NEA written tasks, clearly describe each stage you went through with evidence
Common Errors: ✗ The choreographic process is a straight line from start to finish. ✓ The process is cyclical — choreographers often revisit earlier stages as the work develops. ✗ Exploration means deciding which movements to use. ✓ Exploration is about freely generating ideas; selection is the stage where you decide which movements to use. ✗ Refinement happens before selection. ✓ Selection comes before refinement — you choose material first, then polish it. ✗ Improvisation and choreography are the same thing. ✓ Improvisation is a tool used within the choreographic process to generate material; choreography is the wider creative journey.
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how the choreographic process connects to another Dance topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of the choreographic process
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in the choreographic process?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)