YourStateStandards

Colorado K–6 dance standards

Colorado writes its own dance standards. They are published as Colorado Arts (2022-), adopted 2022 and are not a version of a national framework. 122 of 126 are matched to a national standard.

Framework
Colorado Arts (2022-)
Adopted
2022
Source last checked
July 23, 2026
Read the official document

126 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • DA.K.1.1.aK
    Move the body safely in time and space.
  • DA.K.1.1.bK
    Perform simple movement sequences and dances.
  • DA.K.1.2.aK
    Move safely in personal and general space.
  • DA.K.1.2.bK
    Demonstrate focus and concentration while moving.
  • DA.K.2.1.aK
    Improvise movements that can start and stop on cue.
  • DA.K.2.1.bK
    Develop simple movements based on a mood or feeling.
  • DA.K.2.1.cK
    Recognize and demonstrate contrasting ideas.
  • DA.K.2.1.dK
    Explore movement while moving with objects (scarves, feathers, balls).
  • DA.K.2.2.aK
    Use movement to show a feeling and perform it for others.
  • DA.K.2.2.bK
    Identify and demonstrate contrasting ideas.
  • DA.K.2.2.cK
    Tell movement stories through improvisational exercises.
  • DA.K.2.2.dK
    Name their favorite part of a movement activity and state what they dislike.
  • DA.K.3.1.aK
    Demonstrate movements found in dances from various eras and cultures.
  • DA.K.3.2.aK
    Name dances from different cultures.
  • DA.K.3.2.bK
    Experience dances from other time periods.
  • DA.K.4.1.aK
    Identify different dance movements.
  • DA.K.4.1.bK
    Describe a movement.
  • DA.K.4.2.aK
    Discover that dance relates to music.
  • DA.K.4.2.bK
    Discover where dance happens.
  • DA.1.1.1.a1
    Demonstrate accuracy in the use of space.
  • DA.1.1.1.b1
    Demonstrate different timing and rhythm in movement.
  • DA.1.1.1.c1
    Demonstrate various qualities in movement.
  • DA.1.1.2.a1
    Demonstrate focus and concentration while moving.
  • DA.1.2.1.a1
    Improvise movements that can start and stop on cue.
  • DA.1.2.1.b1
    Develop simple movements based on a mood or feeling.
  • DA.1.2.1.c1
    Recognize and demonstrate contrasting ideas.
  • DA.1.2.1.d1
    Solve simple movement problems.
  • DA.1.2.2.a1
    Use play and improvisation to create movements.
  • DA.1.2.2.b1
    Select movements they like and dislike and replicate them.
  • DA.1.2.2.c1
    Change movements based on feedback and conversation.
  • DA.1.3.1.a1
    Perform movements found in dances from various eras and cultures.
  • DA.1.3.2.a1
    Name the differences in dances of different eras.
  • DA.1.3.2.b1
    Describe cultural aspects from videos and pictures.
  • DA.1.4.1.a1
    Describe the movements and gestures that stand out in a particular dance.
  • DA.1.4.1.b1
    Use words, pictures, or various mediums to compare different dances.
  • DA.1.4.1.c1
    Find similarities or comparisons in a dance that relates to a student’s own life.
  • DA.1.4.2.a1
    Discover that dance relates to other things.
  • DA.1.4.2.b1
    Identify where dance happens.
  • DA.2.1.1.a2
    Demonstrate basic technique appropriate to the dance style.
  • DA.2.1.1.b2
    Approach movements differently to support meaning making.
  • DA.2.1.1.c2
    Perform dances from memory for an audience.
  • DA.2.1.2.a2
    Move intentionally to demonstrate the relevant action and safe body practices.
  • DA.2.1.2.b2
    Move in ways that demonstrate self-awareness.
  • DA.2.2.1.a2
    Improvise a dance phrase that has a clear beginning, middle and end.
  • DA.2.2.1.b2
    Experiment with movements that express an idea or an emotion.
  • DA.2.2.1.c2
    Recognize and demonstrate contrasting ideas.
  • DA.2.2.1.d2
    Solve simple movement problems alone and with a partner.
  • DA.2.2.2.a2
    . Select and organize movement into a simple dance with a beginning, middle and end.
  • DA.2.2.2.b2
    Develop simple dance phrases that meet given criteria.
  • DA.2.2.2.c2
    Select movements from improvisational exercises to organize a dance phrase.
  • DA.2.3.1.a2
    Observe, describe, and perform historical and culturally specific dances.
  • DA.2.3.1.b2
    Describe the mood or feeling of the accompaniment of different cultural and social dances.
  • DA.2.3.1.c2
    Describe the significance or meaning of costumes, masks, and accessories in different cultural and social dances.
  • DA.2.3.2.a2
    Name the differences in dances of different eras.
  • DA.2.3.2.b2
    Describe cultural aspects from videos and pictures.
  • DA.2.4.1.a2
    Understand and describe the meaning of movements in a dance.
  • DA.2.4.1.b2
    Identify and describe how a movement is similar to or different from a movement in everyday life.
  • DA.2.4.1.c2
    Identify movements in a dance that could be used to communicate or relate to other academic topics such as science, math, or language arts.
  • DA.2.4.2.a2
    Identify that dance relates to other things.
  • DA.2.4.2.b2
    Identify that dance happens within communities.
  • DA.3.1.1.a3
    Develop technique appropriate to the dance style.
  • DA.3.1.1.b3
    Accurately reproduce movement sequences.
  • DA.3.1.2.a3
    Participate in warm-ups with an understanding of progression.
  • DA.3.1.2.b3
    Identify the parts of the body used while dancing.
  • DA.3.2.1.a3
    Communicate feelings and intent through improvisation
  • DA.3.2.1.b3
    Recognize and demonstrate simple patterns and contrasting movements.
  • DA.3.2.1.c3
    Solve simple movement problems alone and with partners.
  • DA.3.2.1.d3
    Improvise movement that has a beginning, middle, and end.
  • DA.3.2.2.a3
    Organize movements created into short dances based on a creative process.
  • DA.3.2.2.b3
    Create simple movement phrases that meet given criteria.
  • DA.3.2.2.c3
    Manipulate or modify movement sequences that have a beginning, middle, and end.
  • DA.3.2.2.d3
    Edit and refine a dance to clarify intent.
  • DA.3.3.1.a3
    Compare and contrast different cultural dances using movement descriptions and performance.
  • DA.3.3.1.b3
    Describe distinguishing characteristics of historical and cultural dances.
  • DA.3.3.2.a3
    Contrast the differences in dances of different eras.
  • DA.3.3.2.b3
    Describe cultural aspects from videos and pictures.
  • DA.3.4.1.a3
    Use dance vocabulary to identify movements, basic structure, and emotion in dance.
  • DA.3.4.1.b3
    Identify and describe the movement content of a particular dance work.
  • DA.3.4.2.a3
    Identify that dance relates to other academic content areas.
  • DA.3.4.2.b3
    Identify dance in a variety of communities.
  • DA.3.4.2.c3
    Discover how arts are related to one another.
  • DA.4.1.1.a4
    Perform dances from different dance styles with accuracy and clarity, replicate body shapes, movement characteristics, and movement patterns in a dance sequence with awareness of body alignment and core support.
  • DA.4.1.1.b4
    Perform simple dances from memory in pairs and groups.
  • DA.4.1.1.c4
    Perform simple dances based on compositional forms.
  • DA.4.1.2.a4
    Apply self-awareness to safe body movement.
  • DA.4.1.2.b4
    Identify body needs to perform a dance style.
  • DA.4.2.1.a4
    Experiment with movement that responds to a variety of stimuli.
  • DA.4.2.1.b4
    Develop spontaneous improvised movements that can have a beginning, middle, and end.
  • DA.4.2.1.c4
    Improvise and solve movement problems when working alone, with partners, or in small groups.
  • DA.4.2.1.d4
    Explain their movement choices.
  • DA.4.2.2.a4
    Organize movements created into short dances based on a creative process.
  • DA.4.2.2.b4
    Manipulate or modify movement sequences that have a beginning, middle, and end.
  • DA.4.2.2.c4
    Edit and refine a dance to clarify intent.
  • DA.4.2.2.d4
    Use technology to enhance their creative process.
  • DA.4.3.1.a4
    Observe, describe, and perform dances from various cultures.
  • DA.4.3.2.a4
    Identify and examine dances of the past and dances of the present.
  • DA.4.3.2.b4
    Identify similarities and differences of dances in cultures.
  • DA.4.4.1.a4
    Use dance vocabulary to identify theme, meaning, and structure in dance.
  • DA.4.4.1.b4
    Identify and describe the movement content of a particular dance work and the effect each component has on the work.
  • DA.4.4.2.a4
    Discover how dance relates to a variety of other academic content areas.
  • DA.4.4.2.b4
    Identify the use of dance in a variety of communities.
  • DA.4.4.2.c4
    Discuss how arts are related to one another.
  • DA.5.1.1.a5
    Navigate personal dance space while connecting with other dancers in the collective dance space.
  • DA.5.1.1.b5
    Enhance movement and performance expression.
  • DA.5.1.1.c5
    Demonstrate strength, flexibility and body awareness when performing dances from multiple genres.
  • DA.5.1.2.a5
    Apply self-awareness to safe body movement.
  • DA.5.1.2.b5
    Perform movements with a pathway that accommodates their body needs.
  • DA.5.1.3.a5
    Perform dances with different intentions.
  • DA.5.1.3.b5
    Coordinate different parts of the body while performing within an ensemble.
  • DA.5.2.1.a5
    Experiment with movement that responds to a variety of stimuli (art, music, objects etc.).
  • DA.5.2.1.b5
    Develop spontaneous improvised movements that can have a beginning, middle, and end.
  • DA.5.2.1.c5
    Improvise alone, with partners, or in small groups.
  • DA.5.2.2.a5
    Create movement phrases and dance sequences using compositional structures.
  • DA.5.2.2.b5
    Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of techniques and vocabulary when creating dances.
  • DA.5.2.2.c5
    Create transitions between movement sequences to strengthen intent.
  • DA.5.2.2.d5
    Utilize feedback and revision to modify dance sequences.
  • DA.5.3.1.a5
    Observe and describe movements from various cultures and eras using culturally specific terms.
  • DA.5.3.1.b5
    Perform movements specific to various cultures and eras.
  • DA.5.3.1.c5
    Compare and contrast dances from various cultures.
  • DA.5.3.2.a5
    Identify and examine dances of the past and dances of the present.
  • DA.5.3.2.b5
    Identify similarities and differences of dances in cultures.
  • DA.5.4.1.a5
    Use dance vocabulary to describe theme, meaning, and structure in dance.
  • DA.5.4.1.b5
    Identify and describe the movement content of a particular dance work and the effect each component has on the work.
  • DA.5.4.2.a5
    Identify the relationship between subjects such as music, visual art, language arts, math, science, and others with dance.
  • DA.5.4.2.b5
    Show similarities and differences between dance, other art forms and school subjects.
  • DA.5.4.2.c5
    Describe the impact of dance within individual communities.

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