Moving Words 2

This was the second year in which we delivered this poetry and dance project in Leeds, combining strands of national curriculum dance, music and literacy, using poetry as a stimulus for creative dance workshops.

This year 6 primary schools took part in the project – Lower Wortley Primary School, Hawksworth Wood Primary School, Raynville Primary School, Bramley St Peters Primary School, Hunslet Moore Primary School and Lawns Park Primary School.


Studying the poems Body Language by L. Sissay, Highwayman by A. Noyes, and Jaberwocky by L. Carroll, pupils worked in groups to produce dance and music using rhythms and imagery from the poems. Resource packs to accompany the workshops allow schools to develop the work done during the workshops and have received highly positive feedback from staff and pupils.

“The children developed a deeper understanding of the figurative language in the poem. They were also given many opportunities to create dances and show their understanding of the poem.” Teacher involved in Moving Words 2007, Sophie Alder said of project:
“Using dance in this way enabled the children who weren’t so strong academically, to be able to access poetry and literature, allowing them to excel in a different way. This made it possible for teachers to see different strengths in the children.
“I think ‘Moving Words’ was an adventurous project to undertake as it involved dance, music and English, but it has been great to find a different way of engaging children in poetry. We are going to developed this project further, working more deeply on specific skills and targeting a wider range of schools.”


‘Moving Words’ will be offered to primary schools in January 2008 in Leeds.
To find out more about the projects Northern Ballet Theatre’s Learning & Access department can offer, please contact Jo Dean, Learning Access Co-ordinator, on:

0113 274 5355

or email: jo.dean@northernballettheatre.co.uk