Dance: Grades 6, 7, 8

Elements and Skills - Students will identify and demonstrate movement elements and skills in performing dance.

Choreography - Students will understand choreographic principles, processes, and structures.

Creativity and Communication - Students will understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning.

Criticism and Analysis - Students will apply and demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills in dance.

Cultural/Historical Contexts - Students will demonstrate and understand dance in various cultures and historical periods.

Health - Students will make connections between dance and healthful living.

Interdisciplinary Connections - Students will make connections between dance and other disciplines.

Demonstrate appropriate technique through skeletal and muscular alignment.

Demonstrate appropriate technique through body part articulation.

Demonstrate strength, flexibility, agility, endurance, and coordination.

Identify and demonstrate locomotor and nonlocomotor/axial movements.

Demonstrate rhythmic acuity and musicality.

Refine technique through teacher-directed corrections and self-evaluations/self-corrections.

Analyze dance movement according to the basic elements of dance (i.e., space, shape, time, and energy).

Identify and use appropriate dance terminology.

Identify and use correct studio and performance etiquette.

Identify and understand the basic elements of dance performance and production.

Use sensory information to generate movement through improvisation.

Generate and analyze movement with a clear intent, purpose, or structure.

Understand the differences in choreography as relative to specific genres of dance.

Recognize and apply the basic principles and structures of choreography.

Use dance as a medium to develop self-awareness and self-confidence.

Analyze how dance can communicate meaning and broaden perceptions.

Understand how dance can be used to create an awareness of social issues.

Construct original movement phrases using the elements of dance to solve given problems.

Apply technical critique given in a class/rehearsal setting.

Compare and analyze student and professional performances.

Analyze the choreographic intent in performances.

Recognize the diversity of dance expression throughout the world.

Understand that dance has its roots in rituals.

Understand the historical background of classical, theatrical, and contemporary forms of dance.

Understand the similarities and differences of various dance genres.

Discuss how healthful/unhealthful living choices affect the dancer.

Understand how anatomy relates to dance.

Employ proper safety measures in the studio and theatre.

Understand how the same idea can be expressed in dance and in other art forms.

Examine how technology can be used in dance.

Identify principles of other academic areas as they occur in dance.