The Activate dance resource encourages students to embrace dance through fun and purposeful physical activity in the classroom.
Produced in partnership with the Department of Education, Activate is built around a set of easy-to-use flashcards, each presenting a unique dance activity exploring different elements of dance and movement skills. This evidence-based, curriculum-aligned resource offers a simple and engaging way for you to address dance in the curriculum, while creating an environment where students can express themselves, build confidence, and develop essential life skills.
The best part? There’s no performing arts experience needed!
So whether you’re looking for quick brain breaks or comprehensive dance lesson plans, the Activate dance resource is a great way to enrich your teaching toolkit.
Why dance in the classroom?
Dance offers numerous benefits for students. By adding movement breaks or short bursts of physical activity throughout the school day, we can help students reset and refocus. These activities improve circulation and oxygen flow, which enhances attention, supports self-regulation, and positively impacts learning. Research also shows that participating in dance education boosts self-esteem, strengthens peer relationships, and fosters a stronger sense of belonging within the school community.
What’s included?
The Activate dance resource offers a structured yet flexible approach to teaching dance, making it easier for both specialist and generalist teachers to inspire creativity and movement among their students. There are four parts to this resource:
Learning support materials
These materials are your go-to guide in the classroom. Each activity comes with detailed instructions to help you guide your students through the exercises, along with relevant elements of dance and content descriptions.
Flashcards
These are a fun way for you and your students to choose an activity. Each card includes a brief summary of the exercise and a QR code that links to the accompanying video.
Videos
These are designed so your students can easily follow along, with minimal guidance needed from you. Some activities might require a bit of practice, so feel free to revisit them as many times as you like.
Music library
We’ve put together a selection of music tracks for each activity, but you’re welcome to use your own music if you prefer.
Choose your level
Acknowledgements
Activate was created and developed by Ausdance VIC with the support of the Department of Education, Victoria, through the Strategic Partnerships Program.
