For the last couple of weeks, Class 5/6W have been looking at instruction and explanation texts in literacy. Towards the end of the unit, the children had to write their own feedback as if they were the judges on the popular tv show Strictly Come Dancing.
At first the children looked at previous dances from past contestants and the feedback the type of feedback that they were given by the judges. The children then worked in groups of four with each child taking on the role of either Bruno, Len, Darcy or Craig and they were required to write appropriate feedback for the celebrity dancers Tony Jacklin and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
The children really enjoyed this task and wanted to share their work with you.
Tony Jacklin's Charleston was the first dance to be critiqued by some of the class:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiAEqoZ6mxE&index=134&list=PL5A4nPQbUF8CVoYtBv9kYrT_3
Group 1
Len:
You could improve the footwork as well as more enthusiasm. Also don’t mouth the words. But nice solo parts and do some more moves as well because your partner did most of them. The dance was great, I liked the beginning part. As well as that nice partner work, you could straighten your legs a bit more. Well done. 6/10
Darcy:
The synchronicity was brilliant but you could have practiced the cartwheel a bit more, I agree with Len that the footwork could be a bit cleaner and a tad more enthusiastic. The fluidity was great. But other than that it was excellent and I enjoyed it a lot. Well Done 6/10
Bruno:
Oh Tony, you made that so interesting. You were like a firework display, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. Just point your toes on the kicks and don’t be flat-footed. But great synchronicity. Please don’t mouth the words though. Try to give Tony more moves thought Aliona. Smooth transitions. I’ll say you did a good job. 6/10
Craig:
You’re a bit flat footed. You were in great synchronisation. You mouthed the words which was a bit distracting.You need a bit more swivel. The golf swing was better than the actual dance and you lacked energy. As Bruno said great transitions. The choreography was good but Tony could have had a few more steps. Your timing was great though and your posture was ok. 4/10
Group 2:
Bruno:
Tony Jacklin you STAR! You are amazing. You were enthusiastic, cheerful and you were very smiley. Even though you did not have much to do, you missed a few steps. Anyway the lifts were great. Great Job, but a lot to work on.
Darcy:
Well done Tony, wonderful Charleston. I will start with the negatives. You need to work on your footwork and timing but don’t worry we can work on that. In the end well done. Your passion and enthusiasm was good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well Done
Len:
Well I will start with the positives. The choreography was good and there was good use of spins and lifts. I enjoyed it a lot. Now for the negatives. You are really flat-footed and the footwork was poor. Your posture needs improving. The rhythm needs to be better and it needs to flow more. Apart from that very good. Well Done.
Craig:
Well, your footwork was poor darling, posture was of as well as your balance. You were a bit stiff and you weren’t using space. It was humorous how bad it was, but saying that they were good lifts. Not bad.
Then it was Sophie Ellis-Bextor's turn to dance her Charleston and this is some of the feedback that she was given:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRsan_COiD0
Group 3:
Len:
Very well. Nice footwork, good tempo and only two or three minor mistakes. At the start when you came in the walking was a bit too fast which caused it to be a bit clumsy. It was quite entertaining. The facial expressions were quite plain, except one or two smiles. Very good.
Darcy:
Well done. I thought you had great energy all the way through. You choreographed your dance and transitions well. I t was very entertaining and I could see you had great concentration. Next time might have missed a beat but you had a great posture nearly all the time and it was an effective Charleston. I like the step try and work more on the lifts and turns as I think you, technique and timing.
Bruno:
Well, I thought that you needed a little more expression like AAAARRRGGGHHH and there were too many fancy walks. The bounciness was fabulous darling. Oh my goodness! I loved the solo. You kept in time with the music. Brilliant energy and for a change you weren’t flat footed. Overall it was great. The technique was okay but I’ve seen better. Foot work was good but I’ve seen better, again. I loved your posture.You are very passionate about dance, like me! Overall it was fabulous
Craig:
Good choreography actually! Work on your arm technique darling as your arms seem like jelly. One of the lifts became a disaster darling as you slowed down the timing. Some of the time your legs had the same problem as your arms. In your lifts you need more energy other than that it was a pretty good charleston.
Group 4:
Craig:
The lift into the fly through was disastrous darling and the synchronisation was dodgy at times. However, it was a great choreography full of entertainment and energy. The timing was out at times but other than that it was ok. The fluidity was perfect except from the beginning. Steps… They were alright except when you stumbled at least once or twice.
Darcy:
Well, you had a lot of skill and you had a lot of energy to keep up with your partner and, your dancing is good even though you stumbled. So for that performance it is 9/10.
Len:
Well, it's very good. You danced the routine very as it is very hard. You mastered it well, there were a couple of stumbles. The timing was not the best but you put a lot of effort into it.
Bruno:
Sophie!!!!! You shone like a star! That was fluent and synchronised as well as energetic which made it perfect. I just want to jump on stage and do it with you!
We hope you enjoyed reading a selection of our work.