Dance: Grade 1

Creating

Performing

Responding

Connecting

Demonstrate an understanding of the choreographic process.

Demonstrate an understanding of dance as a form of communication.

Identify and demonstrate movement elements, skills, and terminology in dance.

Understand and model dance etiquette as a classroom participant, performer, and observer.

Recognize the relationship between human anatomy and movement. 

Understand and apply music concepts to dance.

Demonstrate critical and creative thinking in dance.

Understand and demonstrate dance throughout history and in various cultures.

Recognize connections between dance and wellness.

Identify connections between dance and other areas of knowledge. 

Collaborate with others to create and perform movement phrases.

Explore basic partnering skills through guided instruction (e.g. copy, lead, mirror, follow).

Create shapes and levels through movement.

Identify and create a dance sequence with a beginning, middle, and end.

Explore dance elements through improvisation and play (e.g. body, space, time, energy). 

Respond to a variety of stimuli through movement (e.g. scarves, music, images).

Create movement based on ideas, feelings, and personal experiences.

Recognize how movement quality impacts meaning.

Move expressively to music and/or other stimuli (e.g. sound, text).

Identify and recall dance terminology (e.g. levels, pathways, directions, speed, rhythm, energy, qualities, shapes).

Execute short sequences of locomotor movements with appropriate energy and coordination (e.g. walk, run, hop, jump, gallop, skip).

Execute short sequences of axial movements comprised of space, energy/force, body shapes, and qualities (e.g. levels, sharp/smooth, curved/straight, heavy/light, swing/float).

Develop and demonstrate body awareness through isolations, coordination, and personal space.

Demonstrate attentiveness, full participation, and cooperation with others in the dance learning environment.

Demonstrate focus and concentration in performance skills.

Apply knowledge of appropriate behaviors and skills as an observer and performer.

Explain the differences between muscles, bones, and joints.

Recognize healthy practices for dance (e.g. proper warm up and cool down, proper clothing).

Identify and isolate over ten body parts.

Demonstrate improvised movement to a steady beat. 

Differentiate between contrasting rhythms.

Understand and execute concepts of stopping, starting, and changing tempo, movement quality, and direction in response to music and sound.

Explain basic features that distinguish one dance from another (e.g. speed, force/energy, costume, setting, music).

Compare and contrast elements of dance (e.g. body, space, time, energy).

Begin to evaluate simple composition through personal reflection (e.g. establishing personal preferences, noting observations, describing emotional responses).

Demonstrate an understanding of historical and cultural motivations for dance.

Participate in dance activities representing various cultures.

Identify the role of dance in other cultures.

Explore the principles of a healthy body (e.g. health, hygiene, nutrition).

Define and demonstrate personal safety and safety for others in dance.

Integrate the use of technology and media in the exploration of elements and styles of dance.

Compare and contrast dance to other art forms and subject areas.