Georgia K–6 dance standards

Explore historical and cultural motivations for dance.

Explore the role of dance in various cultures and history.

Explore the principles of a healthy body (e.g. nutrition, hygiene).

Explore moving safely.

Compare and contrast dance to other art forms and subject areas.

Explore elements and styles of dance through the use of technology and media.

Explore working independently and collaboratively with others.

Create and perform a dance sequence.

Explore dance elements through structured improvisation and play (e.g. body, space, time, energy).

Respond to a variety of stimuli through movement (e.g. scarves, songs, sounds, images).

Express ideas and feelings through movement, gestures, and facial expressions.

Move expressively to music and/or other stimuli (e.g. sound, text).

Identify and demonstrate basic creative and locomotor movements and body isolations.

Demonstrate the difference between personal and general space.

Demonstrate the ability to perform simple movements in response to oral instruction.

Demonstrate attentiveness, full participation, and awareness of others in the dance learning and performance environments.

Understand and demonstrate appropriate behaviors as a dance performer, and as an audience member.

Identify basic body parts and how they move.

Explore moving to music and responding to changes in tempo and other music qualities.

Explain basic features that distinguish one dance from another.

Observe movement and describe it using basic dance terminology.

Demonstrate an understanding of historical and cultural motivations for dance.

Participate in dance activities representing various cultures.

Identify the role of dance in other cultures.

Explore the principles of a healthy body (e.g. health, hygiene, nutrition).

Define and demonstrate personal safety and safety for others in dance.

Integrate the use of technology and media in the exploration of elements and styles of dance.

Compare and contrast dance to other art forms and subject areas.

Collaborate with others to create and perform movement phrases.

Explore basic partnering skills through guided instruction (e.g. copy, lead, mirror, follow).

Create shapes and levels through movement.

Identify and create a dance sequence with a beginning, middle, and end.

Explore dance elements through improvisation and play (e.g. body, space, time, energy).

Respond to a variety of stimuli through movement (e.g. scarves, music, images).

Create movement based on ideas, feelings, and personal experiences.

Recognize how movement quality impacts meaning.

Move expressively to music and/or other stimuli (e.g. sound, text).

Identify and recall dance terminology (e.g. levels, pathways, directions, speed, rhythm, energy, qualities, shapes).

Execute short sequences of locomotor movements with appropriate energy and coordination (e.g. walk, run, hop, jump, gallop, skip).

Execute short sequences of axial movements comprised of space, energy/force, body shapes, and qualities (e.g. levels, sharp/smooth, curved/straight, heavy/light, swing/float).

Develop and demonstrate body awareness through isolations, coordination, and personal space.

Demonstrate attentiveness, full participation, and cooperation with others in the dance learning environment.

Demonstrate focus and concentration in performance skills.

Apply knowledge of appropriate behaviors and skills as an observer and performer.

Explain the differences between muscles, bones, and joints.

Recognize healthy practices for dance (e.g. proper warm up and cool down, proper clothing).

Identify and isolate over ten body parts.

Demonstrate improvised movement to a steady beat.

Differentiate between contrasting rhythms.

Understand and execute concepts of stopping, starting, and changing tempo, movement quality, and direction in response to music and sound.

Explain basic features that distinguish one dance from another (e.g. speed, force/energy, costume, setting, music).

Compare and contrast elements of dance (e.g. body, space, time, energy).

Begin to evaluate simple composition through personal reflection (e.g. establishing personal preferences, noting observations, describing emotional responses).

Participate in dance activities representing various cultures.

Identify the role of dance in other cultures.

Describe the similarities and differences in various dance styles throughout history (e.g. ballet, jazz, creative movement).

Explore the principles of a healthy body (e.g. health, hygiene, nutrition).

Define and demonstrate personal safety and the safety of others in dance.

Compare and contrast dance to other art forms and subject areas.

Compare and contrast elements and styles of dance through the use of media and technology.

Collaborate with others to create and perform movement phrases.

Develop basic partnering skills through guided instruction (e.g. copy, lead, mirror, follow).

Sequence phrases of movement with simple transitions.

Combine two or more dance elements in a movement phrase (e.g. body, space, time, energy).

Respond to a variety of stimuli through movement (e.g. scarves, songs, sounds, images).

Improvise and create movement based on ideas, feelings, and personal experiences.

Recognize and describe how movement quality impacts meaning.

Move expressively to music and/or other stimuli (e.g. sound, text).

Apply dance terminology to describe and create movement (e.g. levels, pathways, directions, speed, rhythm, energy, qualities, shapes).

Execute sequences of locomotor movements with appropriate energy and coordination (e.g. walk, run, hop, jump, gallop, skip).

Execute sequences of axial movements comprised of space, force, body shapes, and qualities (e.g. levels, sharp/smooth, curved/straight, heavy/light, swing/float).

Demonstrate body awareness through balance, coordination, and increased range of motion.

Demonstrate attentiveness, full participation, and cooperation with others in the dance learning environment.

Demonstrate focus and concentration in the performance of skills.

Apply knowledge of appropriate behaviors and skills as an observer and performer.

Apply knowledge of muscles, bones, and joints to specific movements.

Apply knowledge of healthy practices for dance (e.g. proper warm up and cool down, proper clothing, stretching).

Demonstrate structured movements to a steady beat.

Execute instructed or student created movements to simple rhythmic patterns.

Respond to changes in tempo and other musical qualities through movement.

Explain basic features that distinguish one dance from another (e.g. speed, force/energy, costume, setting, music).

Compare and contrast elements of dance.

Evaluate simple composition using specified criteria.

Recognize the reason for dance in other cultures.

Compare and contrast various dance styles (e.g. ballet, jazz, tap, folk).

Explain how health, hygiene, and nutrition enhance dance ability.

Develop and practice criteria for personal safety and the safety of others in dance.

Compare and contrast dance to other art forms and subject areas.

Explore, create, and communicate the art of dance through the use of media and technology.

Collaborate with others to create and perform movement phrases.

Create a sequence of three or more movements utilizing body, space, time, and energy.

Explore how personal feelings and experiences influence choreography and performance.

Respond to a variety of stimuli through movement (e.g. literature, visual art, props).

Implement various approaches to creating choreography (e.g. improvisation, guided imagery).

Use personal experiences and choreographic tools (e.g. improvisation, guided imagery) to create a movement narrative.

Recognize and describe how movement quality impacts meaning.

Move expressively to music or other stimuli (e.g. sound, text).

Apply and expand dance terminology to describe and create movement (e.g. levels, pathways, directions, speed, rhythm, energy, qualities, shapes).

Combine and execute a wide range of locomotor movements with appropriate energy and coordination (e.g. walk, run, hop, jump, gallop, skip).

Execute a range of axial movements comprised of space, force, body shapes, and qualities (e.g. levels, sharp/smooth, curved/straight, heavy/light, swing/float planes).

Demonstrate weight transfer and directional changes in axial and locomotor movements.

Perform or improvise a sequence of movements in response to oral instruction and prompts.

Demonstrate attentiveness, full participation, and cooperation with others in the dance learning environment.

Demonstrate focus and concentration in the performance of skills.

Apply knowledge of appropriate behaviors and skills as an observer and performer.

Apply knowledge of healthy practices for dance (e.g. proper warm up/cool down, proper clothing, stretching).

Describe the concept of alignment.

Recognize and identify major muscles, bones, and joints on one’s own body using limited anatomical terminology.

Create and perform simple movement sequences using rhythmic patterns and various tempos in guided and improvised dance.

Demonstrate how music or sounds influence movement quality.

Explain basic features that distinguish one dance from another (e.g. speed, force/energy, costume, setting, music).

Compare and contrast movement elements of dance.

Evaluate simple composition using specified criteria.

Demonstrate an understanding of dance as a means of communication, expression, and interaction.

Participate in a dance from a different culture.

Recognize the reason for dance in other cultures.

Compare and contrast various dance styles throughout history (e.g. ballet, jazz, tap, folk).

Understand how health, hygiene, and nutrition enhance dance ability.

Define the elements of personal safety in dance.

Demonstrate respect for personal well-being and the well-being of others.

Explore how dance builds physical and emotional well-being (e.g. positive body image, physical goals, creative goals, focus/concentration).

Compare and contrast dance to other art forms and subject areas.

Discuss and integrate the uses of media and technology in dance.

Explore technological tools related to performance (e.g. lighting, sound).

Explore a variety of choreographic structures, forms, and designs (e.g. AB, ABA, canon, call-response, narrative, complementary/contrasting shapes, symmetry).

Demonstrate proper dance technique while performing choreography.

Implement the use of props within choreography.

Use movement to express an idea or feeling.

Understand how theatrical elements (e.g. costuming, lighting) contribute to the meaning of dance.

Participate in dance technique based warm-up.

Demonstrate knowledge of introductory dance terminology and fundamental principles of dance techniques.

Demonstrate accuracy, focus, control, and coordination in performing locomotor sequences.

Perform smooth transitions when connecting movements.

Demonstrate basic use of a prop.

Demonstrate attentiveness, full participation, and cooperation with others in the dance learning and performing environment.

Demonstrate focus, concentration, and self-discipline in the performance of skills.

Apply knowledge of appropriate behaviors and skills as an audience member and dance observer.

Recognize and identify fundamental muscles, bones, and joints.

Demonstrate alignment and placement in locomotor and non-locomotor movement.

Recognize different musical styles and genres.

Demonstrate musicality while performing dance phrases.

Critique a dance performance using elements of dance (e.g. body, space, time, energy) and appropriate dance terminology.

Discuss the experience of performing a choreographed work.

Participate in dance activities representing various cultures.

Understand the reason for dance in other cultures.

Demonstrate the similarities and differences in various dance styles throughout history (e.g. ballet, jazz, tap, folk).

Practice habits of health, hygiene, and nutrition to enhance dance ability.

Demonstrate the elements of personal safety in dance.

Demonstrate respect for personal well-being and the well-being of others.

Investigate how dance promotes body wellness (e.g. strength, endurance, balance, agility, flexibility, positive body image).

Compare and contrast dance to other arts and subject areas.

Utilize technological tools and media to create and communicate about dance.

Create shapes and levels through movement.

Create movement phrases with or without music.

Demonstrate knowledge of compositional elements through movement (e.g. beginning, middle, end, transitions).

Create movement based on student generated ideas or feelings.

Apply dance technique principles to choreography.

Create and accurately repeat a dance phrase, then vary it using the elements (e.g. body, time, space, energy).

Use movement to tell a story.

Use improvisation to discover and invent movement.

Discuss the experience of performing a choreographed work.

Describe the similarities and differences between observing live and recorded dance performance.

Participate in dance technique based warm-up.

Demonstrate knowledge of dance terminology and basic principles of dance technique.

Demonstrate accuracy, focus, control, and coordination in performing locomotor sequences.

Implement the use of props within a movement sequence.

Demonstrate attentiveness, full participation, and cooperation with others in the dance learning and performance environment.

Demonstrate focus, concentration, and self-discipline in the performance of skills.

Apply knowledge of appropriate behaviors and skills as an audience member and dance observer.

Identify fundamental principles of injury prevention.

Understand how strength and endurance are developed through dance skills.

Recognize and identify fundamental muscles, bones, and joints.

Demonstrate proper alignment and placement.

Demonstrate and create movement in response to a variety of musical selections.

Demonstrate musicality while performing dance phrases.

Explain basic features that distinguish one kind of dance from another (e.g. speed, force/energy use, costume, setting, music).

Compare and contrast two different choreographed works.

Develop and communicate personal interpretation of a choreographed work.

Discuss dance as a means of communication, expression, and interaction through simple composition with competence and confidence.

Practice habits of health, hygiene, and nutrition to enhance dance ability.

Practice elements of personal safety in dance.

Identify the effects of healthy and unhealthy practices in relation to body image and lifestyle choices.

Critique performances from at least two different dance genres from various cultures.

Perform two or more folk, social, and/or theatrical dances from history.

Use a variety of resources to share and teach about dance from different cultures or history (e.g. people, books, technology).

Compare and contrast dance to other art forms and subject areas.

Identify career possibilities in dance and dance related fields.

Demonstrate skills in using media and technology to learn about dance as an art form.

Use media and technology in dance performance.

Apply dance technique to choreography.

Develop versatility through experimentation with various movement approaches (e.g. improvisation, imagery).

Demonstrate and recognize a variety of structures (e.g. AB, ABA, canon, call-response, narrative, contrasting/complementary shapes, symmetry).

Explore abstract ideas through simple movement in individual and small group study.

Purposefully implement the use of props within choreography.

Understand how theatrical elements (e.g. costuming, lighting) contribute to the meaning of a dance.

Demonstrate individuality of expression in performance.

Participate in technique based warm-up exercises for specific dance genres (e.g. ballet, modern, and jazz).

Compare and contrast terminology of various dance styles.

Demonstrate movement elements through coordination and connectivity.

Demonstrate increased ability and skill to sustain longer and more complex movement sequences.

Refine and correct movements and movement executions based on constructive feedback (e.g. intrinsic, oral and written corrections, video).

Demonstrate attentiveness, focus, concentration, initiative, and self-discipline when participating in the dance learning and performing environment.

Demonstrate concentration and focus with respect to self and others.

Exhibit initiative in modeling appropriate behaviors and skills as an audience member and dance observer.

Relate functions of major muscles and bones to the fundamental injury prevention principles for dance.

Identify and apply principles of anatomy to improve muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility.

Recognize the principles of a safe, progressive, sequential order of exercises in a dance technique class (e.g. warm-up and cool-down).

Apply the basic principles of alignment and placement to dance technique.

Apply musical forms (e.g. ABA, fugue, canon) to dance.

Analyze different rhythm structures in music using dance.

Demonstrate musicality through performance and creation of dance.

Critique movement qualities and choreography using the elements of dance (e.g. spatial design, variety, contrast, clear structure).

Observe and critique dance performances using specified criteria and appropriate dance terminology.

Compare and contrast multiple choreographed works.

Discuss the experience of performing a choreographed and improvised work.

Propose ways to revise choreography according to established assessment criteria.

Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between observing live and recorded dance performances.

Engage in self-reflection and assessment as creator and performer.

Perform dances from various cultures and history.

Use resources (e.g. people, books, technology) to learn about dance from different cultures and/or time periods.

Demonstrate personal habits of health, hygiene, and nutrition to enhance dance ability.

Define and practice the elements of personal safety in dance.

Demonstrate and practice respect for personal well-being and the well-being of others.

Demonstrate how dance builds physical and emotional well-being (e.g. positive body image, physical goals, creative goals, focus/concentration).

Compare and contrast dance to other art forms and subject areas.

Identify career possibilities in dance and dance related fields.

Explore media and technology to learn about dance as an art form.

Use media and technology in dance performance.

Explore personal interests and careers in media, technology, and the arts.

Demonstrate a variety of choreographic structures (e.g. AB, ABA, canon, call-response, narrative, complementary/contrasting shapes, symmetry).

Apply dance technique to choreography.

Develop versatility through experimentation with various movement approaches (e.g. improvisation, imagery).

Implement the use of props within choreography.

Compare and contrast abstract and literal movement.

Explore the qualities of expression in performance.

Explore how theatrical elements (e.g. costuming, lighting) contribute to the meaning of a dance.

Participate in technique based warm-up exercises for specific dance genres (e.g. ballet, modern, and jazz).

Compare and contrast terminology of various dance styles.

Demonstrate movement elements through coordination and connectivity.

Demonstrate increased ability and skill to sustain longer and more complex movement sequences.

Refine and correct movements and movement executions based on constructive feedback (e.g. intrinsic, oral and written corrections, video).

Demonstrate attentiveness, focus, concentration, initiative, and self-discipline when participating in the dance learning and performance environment.

Demonstrate concentration and focus with respect to self and others in the performance of skills.

Exhibit initiative in modeling appropriate behaviors and skills as an audience member and dance observer.

Relate functions of major muscles and bones to the fundamental injury prevention principles for dance.

Apply concepts of gravity, force, acceleration, and mass in specific movement contexts.

Apply the basic principles of alignment and placement to dance technique.

Understand the importance of appropriate warm-up and cool-down within a dance technique class.

Recognize musical forms (e.g. ABA, fugue, canon) and how they relate to dance.

Recognize rhythm structures of music through dance (e.g. ballet, jazz, African).

Demonstrate musicality while performing and creating dance phrases.

Critique movement qualities and choreography using the elements of dance (e.g. spatial design, variety, contrast, clear structure).

Observe and critique dance performances using specified criteria and appropriate dance terminology.

Develop and communicate personal interpretation of a choreographed work.

Discuss the experience of performing a choreographed work.

Compare and contrast the differences between observing live and recorded dance performance.

Engage in self-reflection and self-assessment as creator and performer.