YourStateStandards

Minnesota K–6 dance standards

Minnesota writes its own dance standards. They are published as Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in the Arts (2018), adopted 2018 and are not a version of a national framework. 113 of 114 are matched to a national standard.

386 K-6 benchmarks across Dance/Media Arts/Theatre/Visual Arts, verbatim from MDE's official arts spreadsheet. CSP filed the disciplines as sibling families (fetch returned Dance only); re-extracted all four. Codes disambiguated by the arts-area first digit (1/2/4/5), no invented prefix.

Framework
Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in the Arts (2018)
Adopted
2018
Source last checked
July 24, 2026
Read the official document

114 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • 1.0.2.2.1K

    Respond in movement to a stimulus/stimuli.

  • 1.0.2.2.2K

    2. Demonstrate different locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

  • 1.0.2.3.1K

    Improvise movement that starts and stops on cue.

  • 1.0.2.3.2K

    2. Express an idea, feeling, or image through movement.

  • 1.0.2.4.1K

    Respond to suggestions for changing movement in a guided improvisation.

  • 1.0.2.4.2K

    2. Document a dance or movement by drawing a picture, using a symbol, or utilizing technology.**

  • 1.0.3.5.1K

    Demonstrate a range of body shapes.

  • 1.0.3.5.2K

    2. Move safely in space to cues.

  • 1.0.3.6.1K

    Explore different props and materials while moving.

  • 1.0.4.7.1K

    Identify movements using dance terminology.

  • 1.0.4.7.2K

    2. Identify dance movements from a specific dance.

  • 1.0.4.8.1K

    Describe a movement that was observed in a dance.

  • 1.0.5.9.1K

    Make a personal connection to a dance or movement.

  • 1.0.5.9.2K

    2. Describe how movement feels when dancing.

  • 1.0.5.10.1K

    Describe a dance from your own culture.

  • 1.0.5.10.2K

    2. Observe and show through movement a point of interest from another content area.

  • 1.1.2.2.11

    Demonstrate movement inspired by a variety of stimuli.

  • 1.1.2.2.21

    2. Connect a series of locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

  • 1.1.2.3.11

    Improvise movement that has a beginning, middle and end.

  • 1.1.2.3.21

    2. Express an idea, feeling, or image through improvised movement alone and with a partner.

  • 1.1.2.4.11

    Apply suggestions to change movement in a guided improvisation.

  • 1.1.2.4.21

    2. Document many types of movements by drawing pictures, using symbols, or utilizing technology.**

  • 1.1.3.5.11

    Demonstrate a range of actions that move in and through space.

  • 1.1.3.5.21

    2. Move safely in space through a range of activities, alone and with a partner.

  • 1.1.3.6.11

    Use simple props and materials as part of a dance.

  • 1.1.4.7.11

    Identify movements that communicate an idea using dance terminology.

  • 1.1.4.7.21

    2. Describe dance movements principles from a specific genre or culture.

  • 1.1.4.8.11

    Describe multiple movements or elements that were observed in a dance.

  • 1.1.5.9.11

    Make a personal connection to a dance or movement. Identify the movements that explain the connection.

  • 1.1.5.9.21

    2. Identify a personal sensation or emotion when dancing.

  • 1.1.5.10.11

    Discuss a dance from your own culture.

  • 1.1.5.10.21

    2. Generate ideas for dance movement based on another content area.

  • 1.2.2.2.12

    Demonstrate locomotor and non-locomotor movements inspired by a given stimuli.

  • 1.2.2.2.22

    2. Combine a variety of movements while changing the elements of dance.

  • 1.2.2.3.12

    Improvise movement within a simple dance structure and identify the structure.

  • 1.2.2.3.22

    2. Create movement that communicates an idea, emotion, or image.

  • 1.2.2.4.12

    Apply suggestions and make choices to change movement in guided improvisation and in original dance phrases.

  • 1.2.2.4.22

    2. Document shapes and actions of dance by drawing a picture, using symbols, or utilizing technology.**

  • 1.2.3.5.12

    1.Demonstrate a range of actions and movement sequences in and through space.

  • 1.2.3.5.22

    2. Move safely in a variety of spatial relationships and formations, alone and with a partner.

  • 1.2.3.6.12

    Identify and apply simple production elements including contributions by others such as a composer.

  • 1.2.4.7.12

    Describe how movement conveys meaning using dance terminology.

  • 1.2.4.7.22

    2. Describe movements in dances from various genres and cultures.

  • 1.2.4.8.12

    1.Discuss an observed dance using a feedback protocol.

  • 1.2.5.9.12

    Describe a dance that expresses personal meaning and explain how certain movements express this meaning.

  • 1.2.5.9.22

    2. Compare and contrast the movement characteristics or qualities found in at least two dance genres.

  • 1.2.5.10.12

    Relate a dance to the people or environment from which it originates, including dances of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.

  • 1.2.5.10.22

    2. Create a dance based on a concept of another content area.

  • 1.3.2.2.13

    Create movement inspired by self-identified stimulus/stimuli.

  • 1.3.2.2.23

    2. Create a movement phrase or improvisation using the elements of dance.

  • 1.3.2.3.13

    Create a dance phrase or improvisation with a simple structure.

  • 1.3.2.3.23

    2. Create a dance phrase that communicates an idea, emotion, or image.

  • 1.3.2.4.13

    Revise movement choices in response to feedback.

  • 1.3.2.4.23

    2. Document spatial elements of a dance phrase by drawing a picture, using symbols, or utilizing technology.**

  • 1.3.3.5.13

    1.Demonstrate dance skills and movement qualities in a dance phrase.

  • 1.3.3.5.23

    2. Adjust movement to coordinate with a partner or group to safely move through space.

  • 1.3.3.6.13

    Select and apply more than one production element in a dance.

  • 1.3.4.7.13

    Identify contextual elements and explain how they communicate meaning using dance terminology.

  • 1.3.4.7.23

    2. Explain the similarities and differences from one genre or cultural movement practice to another.

  • 1.3.4.8.13

    Compare and contrast dances or movements using a feedback protocol.

  • 1.3.5.9.13

    Compare and contrast the relationships expressed in a dance to one's own relationship with others.

  • 1.3.5.9.23

    2. Identify how nutrition effects the mind and body.

  • 1.3.5.10.13

    Find a relationship between movement and the culture from which the dance is derived.

  • 1.3.5.10.23

    2. Ask and research a question about dance that communicates a perspective about an issue or event.

  • 1.4.2.2.14

    Create a movement phrase generated from a stimulus/stimuli.

  • 1.4.2.2.24

    2. Develop an improvisation using the elements of dance.

  • 1.4.2.3.14

    Use choreographic devices to create simple movement patterns and dance structures.

  • 1.4.2.3.24

    2. Create multiple dance phrases that communicates an idea, emotion, or image.

  • 1.4.2.4.14

    Revise movement based on feedback and self-reflection.

  • 1.4.2.4.24

    2. Document timing elements of a dance phrase by drawing a picture, using symbols, or utilizing technology.**

  • 1.4.3.5.14

    1.Demonstrate a sequence of movements with spatial awareness, body alignment and core support.

  • 1.4.3.5.24

    2. Practice personal body awareness while dancing alone and with others.

  • 1.4.3.6.14

    Use a variety of production elements to support the artistic intent of dance.

  • 1.4.4.7.14

    Describe how movement and contextual elements combine to construct meaning, using dance terminology.

  • 1.4.4.7.24

    2. Explain how dance styles differ within a genre or cultural movement practice.

  • 1.4.4.8.14

    Evaluate a dance based on established criteria.

  • 1.4.5.9.14

    Analyze content and context of choreography developed over time and its relationship to personal perspectives.

  • 1.4.5.9.24

    2. Describe the relationship between dancing, wellness, and nutrition.

  • 1.4.5.10.14

    Select movements in a specific dance genre or style and explain how the movements relate to the culture, society, historical period or community from which the dance originated.

  • 1.4.5.10.24

    2. Choreograph or improvise movements that communicate information, concepts, or ideas from a subject area other than dance.

  • 1.5.2.2.15

    Improvise a movement phrase using stimulus/stimuli.

  • 1.5.2.2.25

    2. Choreograph a movement phrase using the elements of dance.

  • 1.5.2.3.15

    Manipulate choreographic devices to create a variety of movement patterns.

  • 1.5.2.3.25

    2. Develop a dance study that communicates a central theme.

  • 1.5.2.4.15

    Explain creative choices, sources, and revisions based on feedback.

  • 1.5.2.4.25

    2. Document energy elements of a dance phrase using drawings, symbols, or utilizing technology.**

  • 1.5.3.5.15

    Recall and execute a series of dance phrases using qualities and dance skills.

  • 1.5.3.5.25

    2. Demonstrate personal body awareness while dancing alone and with others.

  • 1.5.3.6.15

    Identify and select production elements to support the artistic intent of a dance.

  • 1.5.3.6.25

    2. Use a choreographer’s or community's intent in dance to convey meaning through personal movement choices.

  • 1.5.4.7.15

    Identify meaning in a dance based on movement and contextual elements.

  • 1.5.4.7.25

    2. Describe the characteristics of style used in dance from one's own culture.

  • 1.5.4.8.15

    Apply criteria to evaluate dance in a variety of genres, styles or cultures using dance terminology.

  • 1.5.5.9.15

    Compare two dances with contrasting themes. Discuss emotions and ideas evoked by each and how they relate to one's own personal experiences or personal movement preferences.

  • 1.5.5.9.25

    2. Compare and contrast healthful practices that support wellness in dance activities.

  • 1.5.5.10.15

    Describe how the movement characteristics and qualities of a dance in a specific genre or style communicate the ideas and perspectives of the culture, historical period, or community from which the genre or style originated, including those of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.

  • 1.5.5.10.25

    2. Combine dance concepts and skills with content from another subject area by creating a dance study that integrates learning from both subjects.

  • 1.6.2.2.16

    Select ideas from a variety of stimuli to generate movement that supports artistic intent.

  • 1.6.2.2.26

    2. Demonstrate various movement vocabularies and analyze how each expresses artistic intent.

  • 1.6.2.3.16

    Choose a choreographic device or dance structure to develop an original dance study.

  • 1.6.2.3.26

    2. Create a dance study that communicates personal, societal, historical, or cultural meaning. Identify the source materials.* For example: Written material or images or video created by other people; movement inspired by a particular choreographer or dance source.

  • 1.6.2.4.16

    Revise a dance study based on self-reflection and feedback of others.

  • 1.6.2.4.26

    2. Document changes in a dance study by using words, symbols, or technology with consideration of privacy issues.**

  • 1.6.3.5.16

    Apply technical dance skills to accurately execute dance phrases. For example: alignment, coordination, balance, core support, kinesthetic awareness, clarity of movement.

  • 1.6.3.5.26

    2. Apply basic anatomical knowledge, proprioceptive feedback, and spatial awareness when dancing.

  • 1.6.3.6.16

    Compare and contrast a variety of production elements that could support the artistic intent of a dance.

  • 1.6.3.6.26

    2. Compare and contrast ways to convey a choreographer's or community's intent in dance through personal movement and performance choices.

  • 1.6.4.7.16

    Explain the relationship between movement, choreographic choices and the possible artistic intent of a dance work.

  • 1.6.4.7.26

    2. Describe dance characteristics used in a variety of genres, styles, or cultural movement practices.

  • 1.6.4.8.16

    Identify personal criteria to critique a dance using genre-specific dance terminology.

  • 1.6.5.9.16

    Observe movement characteristics or qualities in a specific dance genre. Describe differences and similarities between that genre and one’s own movement preferences.

  • 1.6.5.9.26

    2. Utilize healthful practices and nutrition in dance activities.

  • 1.6.5.10.16

    Examine how the movement and qualities of a dance communicate its cultural, historical, and community's purpose or meaning, including those of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.

  • 1.6.5.10.26

    2. Investigate two opposing views on a topic including its personal, societal, cultural, or historical context. Use that information to create a dance study that explores the contrasting views.

Minnesota’s other subjects