Beginning Dance Course Description

A survey of the basic skills in jazz movement. This class provides basic technique and practice warm-ups, stretching, body control, and the building of stamina and strength progressing to dance combinations.

COURSE CONTENT

  • A. Orientation – History of Modern Jazz Dance
  • B. Instruction in Progressive Exercises
  • C. Warm-up technique
  • D. Stretching
  • E. Basic ballet positions for balance, coordination F. Low-impact aerobic exercises for toning, building stamina

CLASS CONTENT

  • Skills in the Use of Dance Forms
  1. Accent
  2. Angle
  3. Dance line
  4. Rhythm
  • Locomotor coordination
  • Execution of Dance Forms
  • Dance combinations
  • Sustained movements
  • Jumps and turns

OBJECTIVES/STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a kinesthetic perception of line, movement, rhythm, and coordination, thereby using the body as an instrument of expression.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the basics of jazz dance, including terminology, warm-up and stretching exercises.
  • Demonstrate an ability to execute jumps, turns and combinations to the best of the student’s ability as directed by the instructor.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of basic ballet terminology as well as an ability to execute basic ballet positions for balance and coordination.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

  • Lecture
  • Guided instruction
  • Discussion
  • Models and demonstrations
  • Collaborative assignments
  • Multi-media presentation

METHODS OF EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT

  • Classroom activities such as jazz combinations
  • Supervised discussions
  • Objective-based quizzes and tests
  • Group/individual projects

Course outline
The course will be divided into four segments to give the students a MORE INDEPTH understanding and experience of:

  1. Tap
  2. Ballet
  3. Modern
  4. Jazz

Each event will be divided into categories;

  1. Orientation
  2. History
  3. Technique
  4. Creative
  5. Vocabulary
  6. Performance

We will be focusing on the “whole dancer”

  1. Self image
  2. Posture
  3. Alignment
  4. Breathing
  5. Centering
  6. Balance
  7. Anatomy
  8. Basic Warm up theory
  9. Introduction to Vocabulary
  10. What is Dance?

EVALUATION BREAKDOWN

Dance is a ten to twelve week course and will be evaluated as follows
Technique / Skills 40%
Assignments: 25%

  • Oral
  • Written Presentations
  • Unit Tests

Journal 5%
Effort / Improvement 10%
Attitude 20%

EXPECTATIONS

  • Dressed in appropriate dance attire
  • No gum
  • Be on time
  • Be respectful of each other and the dance space
  • Responsible for missed assignments
  • Note from parents if a student is absent
  • Positive attitude
  • Desire to learn and have fun!!!