DANCE Electives
Beginning Dance:
This is a 5th and 6th grade elective dance class focusing on the techniques of ballet, tap, and jazz. Different styles of each genre will be included in the teaching of the two genres. Technique and learning the basics will be the emphasis, but students will also learn aspects of solo choreography and the process of creating a dance. Students of beginning dance will have at least one opportunity during the year to perform in a produced concert. Other topics that will be covered in this class are dance vocabulary and conditioning for dancers.
Intermediate Dance:
This is a middle school elective dance class for grades 7 and 8 that also focuses on ballet and jazz technique and is for the more experienced dancer. Pointe work will be included for those students that are on pointe. This class focuses on more difficult progressions and repertory as well as basic technique. Group works will be the choreography aspect of this class. This class will meet every other Friday and that class session will be dance history of the 20th century. Students will study the dance styles of each decade, focusing on social dance. Students of Intermediate dance will have at least 2 opportunities during the year to perform in a produced concert.
Beginning Tap Dance:
This is a dance class that focuses on classical and rhythmic styles of tap dance. Basic tap dance steps will be studied. The history of tap will also be a part of this class. Musicality and rhythm will be taught along with tap technique. Class format includes a rhythmic warm-up followed by various technical exercises, and finally a combination or small piece of choreography. Tap students participate in a performance once each semester.
Intermediate Tap Dance:
This tap dance class is for the more experienced tapper. More intricate footwork will be incorporated into this class and rhythms will be more sophisticated. Students in this class will explore tap history by studying a person of note in the tap dance field and do a presentation on that person. Tap II students will perform in at least one formal concert each year.
5/6 Conditioning:
This class will focus on the fundamentals of fitness in terms of flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular endurance. Students will be active in many different capacities such as running, weight lifting, yoga, Pilates, and aerobics. A unit on nutrition will emphasize making good food choices from the USDA pyramid and reading food labels. Muscle groups, nutrition, and basic fitness vocabulary will also be taught. An emphasis will be on fun and getting exercise into a daily routine for each student. Physical fitness goals are discussed as well as what is motivating to reach those goals. Students must dress in appropriate exercise clothing.
7/8 Conditioning:
The middle school conditioning class will further develop students' understanding of fitness in their daily lives. Students in this class will train in similar ways as the 5/6 class but will also participate in a 9-week running and walking program off-campus. Individual goals will be discussed in this class and students will demonstrate the ability to track their heart rate and learn the benefits of reaching one's target heart rate. This class will meet every other Friday in addition to the twice weekly session. The Friday session will focus more on individual fitness and students will work under guidance of instructor but on personal goals.
