Primary Ballet

Imagery

Painting Imagine they have a different coloured paint on the sole of each foot and they are brushing that onto the floor. On stretch over the legs imagine they are collecting up paint and painting the ceiling and walls. (right wall first time, left wall second time). Final position is a paint brush. They could also imagine they have a paint brush down their backs to help them to sit up tall.

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

How do they get down to the floor before exercise Placement of arms (just in front of body and fingertips on the floor) Pull up and straight back (especially when bringing leg into body) Use of head (follow right hand, then left) Movement quality of arm opening from 5th position — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Knee up to the ceiling and not out to the side Knees stay together on pull in Use of feet on the floor  Dexterity of the feet on flex and stretch

Imagery

Pizza or Cake Imagine they are making the shape of a whole pizza or whole cake, and then the shape of a slice. On port de bras section imagine they are throwing pizza toppings on to the pizza or sprinkles onto the cake.

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

How do they stand up from the floor after the exercises Pull up and straight back  Use of head (follow right hand) - don’t sway from side to side, subtle Placement of arms in open 5th with arms lifted and extended but shoulders down — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Placement of arms in 1st positions Placement of arms in demi bras Movement quality of arms

Imagery

Seaside Imagine they are brushing their hands through water then running into the waves.

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Heels together on rise Demi pointe runs forwards and backwards - not flat feet Height of arms, not too high — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Smooth plie with legs  Smooth arms Use of head to right hand, then left hand

Imagery

Dandelions in the wind Look side to side for a dandelion, run and try to catch it before it blows away in the wind. On final catch blow the seeds off the dandelion.

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Transfer side to side, go a little beyond legs. A lilt from side to side but not jump Spin on demi pointe, not  flat feet — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Assemble jump with initial swish before land

Imagery

Soldiers

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Use of arms in opposition  Rhythm of exercise (2 slow and 8 quick - practice with clapping) Placement of toe next to knee Stretched lifted foot and ankle — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Strong body Placement of arms, not too high Sharp quality of marches

Imagery

Cuckoo Clock Jump to face numbers on the clock (3, 6, 9, 12) Jump feet apart to open the door, hand clap together like the cuckoo coming out and going back in again.

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Legs and feet stuck together in the air and on landing. Stretch of legs in the air  Bend of the legs in plie — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Strong and still body Clear directions on jumps Use of head on turning jumps

Imagery

Hopscotch Rhythm - “Would you like to dance. Would you like to dance, Yes please I would like to dance”

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Turn to the right to change direction Change of legs for hops (not repeated using the same leg) — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Still body Stretch of legs in the air  Bend of the legs in plie

Imagery

Balancing a drink on lifted knee Jack in the box (Gallops)

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Position of working leg with stretched foot lifted and in contact with the other knee (skips) Stretch of the underneath leg (skips) Gallops that go upwards instead of along, and stretch the underneath leg — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Patterns

Imagery

Rockets Dolphins Catching something in the air

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Balance at the start and end (start on flat feet and then go into a rise) Momentum of run and leap (freedom of movement) — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Lifted eye line

Imagery

Tell the story of the dance

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Jump feet together after three skips. Up and over on transfer of weight. Balance on demi pointe Runs on demi pointe Jumps with legs and feet together in the air and on landing. Bend of knees on landing Three gallops and stop - not four! Hold the ball on count 8. Eight skids starting with the right leg. Controlled ending position not fully on the floor. — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term

Imagery

Tell the story of the dance

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Stop with feet together after run. Up and over on transfer of weight Pick up item and hold it out to the audience to show it off. Feet together on bow and dressing Jump feet together after three skips. Four spring points of spring heels starting with foot nearest the audience stretched in front. Four skips, run and assemble with switch before landing — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term

Imagery

Tell the story of the dance

Autumn Term Technical Focus — Spring Term Technical Focus

Open 5th poston, arms not too wide or close together and shoulders not lifted. Curtsey with foot behind and on demi pointe — Continue technical reinforcement from Autumn Term Stretch of leg before curtsey of bow Hold at the end.