Beginning Dance
Course Description/Calendar
Instructor: Ms. Callahan (crussell@mpls.k12.mn.us)
Description: Dance is both something to do physically and a body of knowledge that effects and is affected by the larger world. Through dancing/ performing, creating and responding to dance intellectually, we will journey through dance in its many forms. As we do this we will be learning about the capabilities of our bodies, learning warm-ups, creating choreography, having master classes by local dancer/choreographers, going to performances and learning about the larger world of dance both locally, and nationally. Dance forms that are studied range from Modern Dance, Ballet, Hip Hop, Swing Dance, African, Tap, Musical Theater and Latin Dance.
Weekly Calendar
Dates to Remember
Grading
You will be graded on three areas: Daily Physical work in Class (includes skill, attendance and participation), Test (both Movement and Written) and Attitude towards Improvement.
Each will comprise 1/3 of your grade.
Dance Plagiarism
Copying someone else’s work is stealing. That means all writing for this class if not your own, bus be referenced as such. Site your sources. In addition, taking fully developed or recognizable setions of choreography from video/DVD, television or other teachres/choreographers is also stealing. I am not referring to the inadvertend use of movement paterns that happens without our conscious awareness. However, consciously passing somthing off as your own is bad practice and often illegal.
Technology Use
Students must be able to access Dance Web Page on Ms. Callahan’s Website for
some assignments. http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/Adv_Dance_Co_IB.html
Also, phones must be silenced in class. There may be times you are asked to use them for curricular reasons, but your teacher will alert you to this.
Make Up Work Dance is a physical art form that requires your physical presence to see progress. If for some legitimate reason you are absent, you will be able to make up that absence by doing a make up report(see information sheet in “Make Up” drawer in dance studio). It is your responsibility to return that make up work within one week of your absence. Unless their is an emergency that the teacher is aware of and approves, no more than 4 unexcused absences will allowed to be made up.
Code of Conduct
In order to create an atmosphere of trust, risk and success, students must agree to and demonstrate the ability to hold sacred the work of others. This will be demonstrated by respectful behavior with peers. In addition all studens are expected to adhere to the SW HS and Mpls. District Citywide Discipline Policy.
Daily Points You earn 5 points a day for class participation: 2 pts for active and engaged participation(this means working hard, positive attitude, not sitting down between combinations and working respectfully with others), 2 pts. proper attire(see below) and 1 pt for being on time(15% of your grade). You will need: 1. Proper Attire means any of the following: sweat pants or biker shorts, t-shirts, leotards or tights. Everyone must be able to have BARE FEET. 2. A journal/notebook that will be checked/graded every two weeks.
3. A lock for gym locker to store your clothes.
Proper Attire/Dance Clothes
Dance clothes are different than your sreet clothes no matter how comfortable or loose you may consider your street clothes to be. these are clothes thay you can roll around on the floor in, sweat in and are recognized a such by the teacher. They may take the form of sweat pants, gaucho pants, leggins(not jeggings!), biker shorts and t-shirts(that are not too bulky so alignment can be seen). Modesty is essential. Teacher will approach you if your clothes are inappropriate for a dance work setting. You must be prepared to dress ALL days of the week. If curriculum suggest a non-dress day, teacher will notify you.
Dance Elements Activity