Choreograph your own dance with an animated dancer: pick moves, set levels, pathways and energy, build 8-count phrases, rehearse to the beat and perform it.
1Tap a move in the Move library to add it to the phrase, or drag it by its handle into the timeline. The dancer on the stage shows the move straight away.
2Tap a move in the timeline to change its counts, level (high, medium, low), direction and energy. Aim for 8 counts in each phrase.
3Build phrases A, B and C, then put them in order under Dance order, for example A B A. Add dancers and choose unison, canon or mirror.
4Press Play dance to hear a "5, 6, 7, 8" count-in and watch the dance to the beat. Use Loop phrase and Slow motion to rehearse it with your own body.
5Try the challenges. A green tick means your dance does what the challenge asks.
6A finished dance has a title, dancer names, at least two phrases in an order like A B A and a clear ending freeze. Perform it in Performance mode, fill in the reflection, then print the plan or share the link.
Australian Curriculum v9.0 · The Arts · Foundation-Year 6
Dance Maker is a choreography studio for primary school dance. Children choose from more than 35 moves grouped by the elements of dance (body shapes, travelling and on-the-spot actions, and energy), then set the space, time and energy of every move: high, medium or low level, direction, straight, curved or zigzag pathways, counts and repeats. Moves are built into 8-count phrases A, B and C, and the phrases are put in order to make a whole dance such as ABA. Up to four dancers can dance in unison, in canon or as mirrors, in formations such as a line, a box or a V. A built-in beat plays at the chosen tempo with a "5, 6, 7, 8" count-in, and slow-motion rehearsal shows big move names and cues so children can learn the dance with their own bodies. Guided challenges check the dance automatically, and a full-screen Performance mode, a printable dance plan, a reflection box and a share link help children present their work.
Top Tip
Start with something still, like a shape, then travel, then finish with a freeze. Changing just one element (a low level, a sharp energy, a zigzag pathway) makes a move look completely new.
Skills You Are Practising
Using the elements of dance: body, action, space, time, energy and relationships
Choosing locomotor and non-locomotor movements
Making curved, angular and twisted body shapes
Changing level, direction and pathway to use space
Keeping time in 8-count phrases at a chosen tempo
Choreographing with unison, canon and mirroring
Structuring a dance with a form such as ABA
Communicating a mood, idea or story through movement
Rehearsing safely and performing for an audience
Reflecting on what worked and what to change
In the real world
Choreographers plan dances in 8-count phrases just like this, for stage shows, music videos, school concerts, sport routines and flash mobs. Dancers rehearse with counts and cues, then perform in formation. Dance is also a way many communities, including First Nations Australians, share culture and stories, and those dances are learned from and with their communities.
For parents & teachers
Clear a safe space, then dance the phrase together in Slow motion before trying full speed.
Ask "What feeling is your dance showing? Which move shows it best?"
Count out loud "5, 6, 7, 8" together, then clap on count 1 of each phrase.
Be the audience for a performance, then ask what worked and what they would change next time.
Who it suits: Foundation to Year 2: choose moves, try high and low levels, fast and slow tempos, and share a short dance with a freeze at the end. Years 3 and 4: build 8-count phrases, use pathways and energy on purpose, make an ABA dance that shows a mood or idea. Years 5 and 6: choreograph for groups using canon, mirroring and formations, tell a story across phrases, rehearse to the count and reflect on how the elements communicate meaning.
Australian Curriculum v9.0
This game practises these content descriptions. Tap a code to see its full wording and other games for it.
AC9ADAFC01(Foundation The Arts)create arts works that communicate ideas
AC9ADAFD01(Foundation The Arts)use play, imagination, arts knowledge, processes and/or skills to discover possibilities and develop ideas
AC9ADAFP01(Foundation The Arts)share their arts works with audiences
AC9ADA2C01(Year 2 The Arts)use the elements of dance to choreograph dance sequences
AC9ADA2D01(Year 2 The Arts)experiment with ways to move safely and expressively using fundamental movement skills and the elements of dance
AC9ADA2P01(Year 2 The Arts)share dance sequences in informal settings
AC9ADA4C01(Year 4 The Arts)use the elements of dance to choreograph dance that communicates ideas, perspectives and/or meaning
AC9ADA4D01(Year 4 The Arts)experiment with and practise skills for moving safely and expressively using fundamental movement skills and the elements of dance