A Dance Exploration for Global Goal 1
1. No Poverty
Dance/Movement
Grades 5-8
30-60 Minutes
Materials Needed
- • Open space for movement
- • Audio playback device
- • Whiteboard or chart paper
- • Markers
- • Scarves or fabric (Optional)
- • Notebooks or Paper
Goal 1: No Poverty
You can find an introduction to Goal 1, as well as the Targets & Indicators, Objectives, and Action Planning Resources on the Goal overview page.
See Goal 1 Overview
Welcome students to an exciting movement adventure.
Discuss that the class will be exploring a really important idea called Global Goal 1: No Poverty. Explain that this goal is all about making sure every person, everywhere, has what they need to live a good life. This means having enough food, a safe home, clean water, clothes, and a chance to go to school and feel healthy and happy. It's about fairness and making sure no one is left behind.
Tell students that dance and movement are amazing ways to express feelings, tell stories, and understand big ideas without even using words. We can use our bodies to show challenges, feelings of hope, and how we can all work together to make things better.
Begin with a gentle warm-up to get everyone ready to move. Focus on stretching and loosening up their bodies. As they stretch, guide them to think about reaching, pushing, and lifting, connecting these simple actions to the idea of working hard and trying to overcome challenges.
Examples of warm-up movements with guiding prompts:
- Reaching: Let's reach our arms up high, as if we're reaching for something just out of our grasp, like a goal we're trying to achieve. (Encourage full-body stretch, maybe a slight sway).
- Pushing: Imagine pushing gently against an invisible wall. What does it feel like to push? How does your body show strength and effort? (Have students push forward, or to the side, feeling resistance).
- Lifting: Imagine slowly lifting something heavy off the ground, but then it gets easier. What does your body do to show that effort and then the release? (Start low, gradually rise, perhaps with arms extending).
- Stretching: Stretch your body like a tree growing tall, reaching for the sun. How does your body feel when it stretches and grows stronger? (Full body extensions, reaching fingers and toes).
- Connecting: Let's connect our movements to our breathing. Breathe in slowly, feeling your chest open, and breathe out, letting any tension go. This helps us focus our minds and bodies for our activity. (Simple breath awareness).
1
Community Web Brainstorm
On the whiteboard or paper, draw a large circle. In the middle, write "A Fair World". Explain to students: We're going to build a "Community Web" of ideas. In the middle is "A Fair World", a world where everyone has what they need. What are some of the most important things every person needs to be happy and healthy? Guide students towards the basic necessities. Examples: Food to eat, Clean water to drink, A safe and warm home to sleep in, Clothes to wear, Doctors and medicine when they're sick, Schools and books to learn, Kind friends and family, A chance to play and have fun, Feeling safe, Someone to listen to them, A way to learn new skills, A sense of belonging. Use one color marker (e.g., blue) to write these ideas around the central circle, drawing lines connecting them to "A Fair World".
2
Challenges Exploration
Now, introduce the contrast: Sometimes, people don't have enough of these important things. What happens when someone doesn't have enough food, or a safe home, or can't go to school? What challenges might they face? What does it look, sound, or feel like when people struggle with these challenges? Examples: Feeling hungry, Being cold, Having no safe place to sleep, Not having clean water, Not being able to go to school, Feeling left out, Feeling unsafe, Being worried, Being tired, Having worn-out clothes, Feeling sad or lonely, Having trouble learning, Being sick and without medicine, Working instead of playing, A family sharing very little. Use a different color marker (e.g., red) to write these challenge ideas around the "needs" on the web, perhaps drawing lines that show how they break the connections or create difficulties. See Example. Briefly summarize: Our web shows how many different things contribute to a fairer world, and also the challenges people face. We're going to use our bodies to explore these feelings and situations.
3
Challenges Movement
Play the "Challenges" music (somber instrumental). Examples: Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi, Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie. Explain that the class will be using their bodies to explore what it might feel like when people don't have enough of what they need, or face difficulties. Emphasize that there's no right or wrong way to move; it's about expressing how they feel or what they imagine. Lead students through a series of improvisational movements based on the ideas brainstormed earlier (lack of food, safe home, education, feeling safe).
4
Hope and Action Movement
Switch to the "Hope and Action" music (upbeat, energetic). Examples: Happy by Pharrell Williams, Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, Yeke Yeke by Mory Kanté, Wavin' Flag by K'naan. Explain: Now we'll explore what it feels like to have hope, to work together, and to make things better. Think about the things we brainstormed that everyone needs to be happy and healthy, and how people can help each other achieve them. Lead students through improvisational movements based on the ideas of support, community, and achieving basic needs. Encourage students to use their whole bodies, including facial expressions, to convey their feelings.
1
Create Tableaux
Divide students into small groups (3-4 students). Explain that each group will create two frozen tableaux (like a still picture with their bodies). Tableau 1 "The Challenge": represent a challenge related to people not having enough basic needs. Tableau 2 "The Hope/Action": show how that challenge can be met with kindness, sharing, or community support. Give groups 5-7 minutes to plan and practice.
2
Present Tableaux
Have each group share their two tableaux with the class, explaining what each one represents.
1
Deep Breathing
Lie down or sit comfortably. Take a slow, deep breath in, feeling your belly rise. Now, breathe out slowly, letting all your worries and tension go. Imagine breathing in calm and peace, feeling your body relax. (Focus on diaphragmatic breathing deep sighs).
2
Gentle Stretching
Slowly stretch your arms up towards the sky, then gently reach for your toes. Feel your body release any tightness or stiffness. Imagine your body becoming light and relaxed, like a soft cloud. (Simple stretches for arms, legs, back, neck rolls).
3
Mindfulness Walk
Gently walk around the space, noticing each step. Feel your feet on the ground. Be present in this moment, noticing the quiet and calm around you. What does it feel like to move slowly and peacefully? (Quiet, slow walking, focusing on footfalls).
4
Tree Pose (Modified)
Stand tall and strong like a tree, rooted to the ground. Feel your balance. Imagine being strong and resilient, just like a tree that can weather any storm, stable and peaceful. (Balance on one foot, other foot resting on ankle or calf, arms extended or at prayer position, focus on stillness).
5
Visualization
Close your eyes (if comfortable). Imagine a world where everyone has what they need, where people are kind and helpful to one another. See happy faces, hear joyful sounds. Feel the warmth of a peaceful and fair world all around you, knowing you can be a part of it. (Guided visualization, focusing on positive imagery).
1
How did using your body to move and create frozen pictures help you understand Global Goal 1: No Poverty in a different way?
2
What did you learn about how people might feel when they need help, or when they are helping others, through our movement?
3
Which movements or tableaux made you think or feel the most, and why?
4
What does our movement exploration tell us about how we can all work together to make sure everyone has what they need?
5
What's one small thing you can do in your own life today to show kindness or help someone who might need something?
- Consistent and enthusiastic involvement in all phases of the lesson, including the warm-up, movement explorations, tableau challenge, and class discussions.
- Understanding of the core concept of Global Goal 1, as demonstrated through movement choices, tableaux, and verbal contributions during discussions.
- Originality and effectiveness in using bodies to convey emotions and ideas related to both the challenges and hopes/solutions for "No Poverty." Look for clear effort in expressing the feeling and concept.
- Ability to work effectively within their small groups during the tableau challenge, contributing ideas, respecting diverse interpretations, and collaborating cohesively.
- Ability to articulate learning and personal connections during the reflection and summary discussion.
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