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

comparing & evaluating dance

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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: comparing & evaluating dance

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about comparing & evaluating dance. Then check against the key terms: key terms from comparing & evaluating dance. 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 comparing & evaluating dance.
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: comparing & evaluating dance. 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 comparing & evaluating dance

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about comparing & evaluating dance.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: comparing & evaluating dance

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on comparing & evaluating dance. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: Comparing requires identifying both similarities and differences — not just one or the other
Key Fact: Use linking words: 'similarly', 'in contrast', 'whereas', 'both', 'however' to show comparison clearly
Key Fact: Always compare the same element — for example, compare use of dynamics in both works
Key Fact: Evaluating means making a judgement about effectiveness, supported by specific evidence
Key Fact: A strong evaluation considers strengths and limitations before reaching a conclusion
Key Fact: When evaluating your own work, be honest and specific about what worked and what could improve

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: explain the key ideas of comparing & evaluating dance

Answer:

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

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

Lesson 3: Application: comparing & evaluating dance

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: key terms from comparing & evaluating dance. 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: comparing & evaluating dance

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 comparing & evaluating dance from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.

Exam Tips: Plan comparison answers in a table before writing — list similarities and differences for each element | Never write about one work then the other separately — interleave your points with linking words | For evaluation, introduce your criteria early so the examiner knows your basis for judgement | Support every comparative point with at least one specific example from each work | In evaluation answers, always finish with a clear, one-sentence judgement that answers the question
Common Errors: ✗ Writing about Work A, then writing about Work B, without linking them. ✓ Interleave your points — compare the same element in both works using linking words like 'whereas' or 'similarly' within the same paragraph. ✗ Only identifying differences when asked to compare. ✓ Compare means identify both similarities and differences. If you only discuss differences, you have not fully answered the question. ✗ Giving an opinion without evidence when evaluating. ✓ Every judgement must be supported by specific evidence from the dance. Say what is effective and why, referencing particular moments or techniques. ✗ Ending an evaluation without a clear judgement. ✓ The final sentence should state your ju
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how comparing & evaluating dance connects to another Dance topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of comparing & evaluating dance
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in comparing & evaluating dance?"

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)