Oklahoma K–6 dance standards

Recognize and name an emotion experienced when watching, improvising, or performing dance.

Observe illustrations from a story and discuss ideas for movement.

Describe or demonstrate the movements in a watched or performed dance.

Respond in movement to a variety of stimuli (e.g., music/sound, text, objects, images, symbols, observed dance).

Explore different ways to do several basic locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

Improvise dance with a beginning, middle, and end.

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

Apply suggestions for changing movement through guided improvisational experiences.

Depict a dance movement by drawing a picture or using a symbol.

Isolate body parts in relation to other body parts and imitate and recall movements upon request.

Imitate same-side and cross-body patterning and demonstrate locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

Move safely in general space and start and stop on cue during activities, group formations, and creative explorations while maintaining personal space.

Differentiate between healthy and unhealthy foods and drinks.

Make still and moving body shapes to show lines (e.g., straight, bent, curved), change levels, and vary in size (large/small). Join with others to make a circle formation and work with others to change its dimensions.

Demonstrate tempo contrasts with movements to match the tempo of music or rhythmic accompaniment.

Move with contrasting efforts (e.g., light/strong, quick/sustained, direct/indirect).

Dance for and with others in a designated space.

Select a prop to use as part of a dance.

Identify a learned movement repeated in a dance.

Demonstrate or describe observed or performed dance movements.

Observe several shapes or movements and describe thoughts or feelings.

Select a movement observed in a dance. Demonstrate the movement and explain why it was selected.

Find an emotion expressed in a dance relating to a familiar experience. Identify the movements communicating this emotion.

Observe a work of visual art. Describe and then express through movement something of interest about the artwork.

Watch and/or perform a dance from a different culture and discuss or demonstrate the types of movement danced.

Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli (e.g., music/sound, text, objects, images, symbols, observed dance, experiences) and identify the source.

Explore a variety of locomotor and non-locomotor movements by experimenting with and manipulating the elements of dance (e.g., Body, Space, Time, and Energy).

Improvise a series of movements with a beginning, middle, and end. Describe movement choices.

Choose movements to express an idea or emotion or follow a musical phrase.

Explore suggestions to change movement within short remembered sequences.

Depict several different types of movements of a dance by drawing a picture or using a symbol (e.g., jump, turn, slide, bend, reach).

Imitate movements and spatial arrangements of body parts.

Imitate a range of locomotor and non-locomotor movements, body patterning, body shapes, and body pathways.

Move safely in general space through a range of activities and group formations while maintaining personal space.

Discuss the importance of hydration and hydration choices relative to physical activities.

Present locomotor and non-locomotor movements to change body shapes, levels, and facings. Move in straight, curved, and zigzagged pathways. Find and return to place in space. Move with others to form straight lines and circles.

Relate quick, moderate, and slow movements to duration in time. Recognize steady beat and move to varying tempi of steady beat.

Identify and apply appropriate dynamics to demonstrate change in movement qualities (e.g., selecting specific adverbs and adjectives and applying them to movements).

Dance for and with others in a space where the audience and performers occupy different areas.

Explore the use of simple props or scenery to enhance performance.

Identify a movement repeated in a dance to make a pattern.

Demonstrate and describe observed or performed dance movements from a specific dance style or cultural movement practice.

Observe several shapes or movements and use fundamental terminology to describe it.

Identify and demonstrate one movement in a dance that attracts attention. Describe the characteristics that make the movements interesting.

Describe, create, and/or perform a dance expressing personal meaning and explain how certain movements express this personal meaning.

Respond to a dance work using an inquiry-based set of questions (e.g., see-think-wonder). Create movement using ideas from responses and explain how certain movements express a specific idea.

Observe a dance and relate the movement to the people or environment in which the dance was created and performed, including dances of Oklahoma American Indian Tribes and communities.

Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli (e.g., music/sound, text, objects, images, symbols, observed dance, experiences) and suggest additional sources for movement ideas.

Combine a variety of movements to create a sequence while manipulating the elements of dance.

Organize a dance phrase with a beginning, a middle with a main idea, and a clear end.

Choose movements to express a main idea or emotion or follow a musical phrase. Explain reasons for movement choices.

Explore suggestions and make choices to change movement from guided improvisation and/or short remembered sequences.

Depict the levels in a variety of dance movements by drawing a picture or using symbols (e.g., high, middle, low).

Repeat movements with an awareness of self and others in space. Self-adjust and modify movements or placement upon request.

Demonstrate a range of locomotor and non-locomotor movements, body patterning, and dance sequences using a variety of levels and body pathways.

Utilize spatial awareness to coordinate with a partner or other dancers to safely change levels, directions, and pathway designs.

Recognize the good health balance of nutrition and physical activity.

Present clear directionality, focus, and intent when performing locomotor and non-locomotor movements to change body shapes, facings, and pathways in space. Recognize symmetrical and asymmetrical body shapes and examine relationships between body parts. Differentiate between circling and turning as two separate ways of continuous directional change.

Identify the length of time a move or phrase takes (e.g., whether it is long or short). Identify and move on the downbeat and in varying meters. Match movement phrasing with musical phrasing.

Demonstrate movement qualities along with movement vocabulary (e.g., use adverbs and adjectives applied to movement such as a bouncy leap, a floppy fall, a jolly jump, and joyful spin).

Understand the role of an audience member in a performance.

Use limited technical elements (e.g., props, simple scenery, or media projections) to enhance performance.

Identify a dance style within the pattern of a dance.

Demonstrate and describe movements in dances from a specific dance style or cultural movement practice.

Select context cues from movement to identify meaning and intent in a dance, using fundamental terminology.

Observe or demonstrate dances from a specific style or cultural movement practice. Discuss characteristics of the style or cultural dance.

Compare the relationships expressed in a dance to relationships with others. Explain how they are the same or different.

Observe a dance that communicates a perspective about a topic or event. Identify and explore key aspects through movement. Share findings through oral, written, or movement forms. Discuss how the findings deepen understanding of the topic/event.

Find a relationship between a dance movement and the culture, society, or community from which the dance is derived. Explain what the movements communicate about the key aspects of the culture, society, or community including those of Oklahoma American Indian Tribes and communities.

Experiment with a variety of self-selected stimuli (e.g., music/sound, text, objects, images, notation, observed dance, experiences) for movement.

Explore manipulations of the elements of dance as tools to find a solution to a movement problem.

Identify and experiment with choreographic devices to create simple movement patterns and dance structures (e.g., AB, ABA, theme and development).

Develop a dance phrase expressing and communicating an idea or feeling. Discuss the effect of the movement choices.

Revise movement choices in response to feedback to improve a short dance study. Describe the differences the changes made in the movements.

Depict directions or spatial pathways in a dance phrase by drawing a picture map or using a symbol.

Identify and demonstrate movements initiated by distal ends (fingers/toes). Apply constructive feedback from the teacher.

Introduce an awareness of body alignment and core support while executing body shapes and movement characteristics in a dance sequence.

Move safely in a variety of spatial relationships and formations with other dancers, sharing and maintaining personal space while exploring levels, directions, and pathway designs.

Identify foods beneficial for before and after physical activity.

Present three-dimensional shapes with positive and negative space. Perform movement sequences in and through space with intentionality and focus.

Fulfill specified duration of time with improvised locomotor and non-locomotor movements. Differentiate between “in time” and “out of time” to music. Perform movements that are the same or of a different tempo to accompaniment.

Change use of energy and dynamics by modifying movements and applying specific characteristics to heighten the effect of their intent.

Identify the main areas of a performance space using stage directions.

Explore simple technical elements (e.g., costumes, props, music, scenery, lighting, media) for a dance performed for an audience in a designated performance space.

Identify a movement pattern that creates a theme in a dance work.

Demonstrate and explain how one dance form is different from another or how one cultural movement practice is different from another.

Select specific context cues from movement. Use appropriate terminology to explain how they relate to the main idea of the dance.

Identify dance movements from different styles or cultural movement practices. Using appropriate terminology, describe ways in which they are alike and different.

Relate the main idea or content in a dance to other experiences. Explain how the main idea of a dance is similar to or different from one’s own experiences, relationships, ideas, or perspectives.

Develop and research a question related to a topic of study in school by selecting main ideas and choreographing movements to communicate the information. Discuss what was learned from creating the dance and describe how the topic might be communicated using another form of expression.

Select and describe movements in a specific genre or style and explain how the movements relate to the culture, society, historical period, or community from which the dance originated, including those of Oklahoma American Indian Tribes and communities.

Generate ideas for choreography inspired by a variety of stimuli (e.g., music/sound, text, objects, images, notation, observed dance, experiences).

Develop a solution to a movement problem using the elements of dance.

Manipulate or modify choreographic devices to expand movement possibilities and create a variety of movement patterns and structures. Discuss movement choices.

Develop a dance study expressing and communicating a main idea. Discuss the reasons and effectiveness of the movement choices.

Revise movement based on peer feedback and self-reflection to improve communication of artistic intent in a short dance study. Explain choices made in the process.

Depict the relationships between two or more dancers in a dance phrase by drawing a picture or using symbols (e.g., next to, above, below, behind, in front of).

Demonstrate movements by isolating distal and mid-limb initiations (elbows, knees). Learn the roles of initiations and body patterns.

Integrate movement fundamentals (e.g., alignment, coordination, balance, core support, kinesthetic awareness) and effort qualities in a dance sequence.

Coordinate phrases and timing with other dancers while changing levels, directions, and pathway designs. Reflect on feedback from others to inform personal dance performance goals.

Explore the relationship between safe body movement, healthy nutrition, and execution of technique.

Make static and dynamic shapes with positive and negative space. Perform elevated shapes (jump shapes) with soft landings and movement sequences alone and with others, establishing relationships with other dancers through performance focus.

Accompany other dancers using a variety of percussive instruments and sounds. Respond in movement to even and uneven rhythms. Recognize and respond to tempo changes as they occur in dance and music.

Analyze movements and phrases for use of energy and dynamic changes. Refine the phrases by incorporating a range of contrasting movement characteristics.

Consider how to establish a formal performance space from an informal setting.

Identify, explore, and experiment with a variety of technical elements to heighten the artistic intent and audience experience.

Identify patterns of movement in dance works creating a style or theme.

Demonstrate and explain how dance forms differ within a genre or within a cultural movement practice.

Relate movements, ideas, and context to decipher meaning in a dance, using appropriate terminology.

Discuss the characteristics of a famous choreographic work. Using appropriate terminology, compare those characteristics to dances observed or performed in a specific dance style or cultural movement practice.

Compare two dances with contrasting themes. Discuss feelings and ideas evoked by each. Describe how the themes and movements relate to points of view, relationships, and experiences.

Select and research a choreographer and their work. Choreograph a dance to communicate the learned information and include the intention and clarity of the choreographer’s style. Explain the style and meaning of the dance.

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 Oklahoma American Indian Tribes and communities.

Build content for choreography using several stimuli (e.g., music/sound, text, objects, images, notation, observed dance, experiences, literary forms, natural phenomena).

Solve multiple movement problems to create choreographic content.

Manipulate or modify a variety of choreographic devices to expand choreographic possibilities and develop a main idea. Explain reasons for movement choices.

Develop a dance study by selecting a specific movement theme to communicate a main idea. Discuss how the dance communicates nonverbally.

Utilizing feedback from others, explore and expand choreographic possibilities for a short dance study communicating artistic intent. Explain and defend the movement choices and refinements.

Record changes in a dance sequence through writing, symbols, or a form of media technology.

Demonstrate movement from central initiation (torso), mid-limb and distal initiation. Explore and analyze the role of initiations and body patterns and self-check to improve dance skills.

Execute a series of dance phrases while integrating movement fundamentals (e.g., alignment, coordination, balance, core support, kinesthetic awareness, clarity of movement).

Collaborate with peer ensemble members to repeat sequences, synchronize actions, and refine spatial relationships to improve performance quality. Apply feedback from others to establish personal performance goals.

Examine how safe body movement and proper execution of technique, along with healthy eating habits, promote strength, flexibility, endurance, and injury prevention.

Integrate static and dynamic shapes and varied pathways into dance sequences. Use performance focus to maintain relationships with other dancers and understand the difference between internal and external focus.

Dance to a variety of rhythms generated from internal and external sources. Perform movement phrases, showing the ability to respond to changes in time.

Explore muscular tension and release as it relates to the body and space using effort qualities.

Demonstrate the ability to adapt dance to alternative performance venues by modifying spacing and movement to the performance space.

Identify, explore, and select technical elements to heighten and intensify the artistic intent of a dance and are adaptable for various performance spaces.

Identify meaning or artistic intent conveyed through patterns of movement in a dance work.

Demonstrate and explain the stylistic similarities and differences within a dance style or within a cultural movement practice, using basic dance terminology.

Interpret meaning or artistic intent from the patterns of movement in a dance work. Explain how the movements communicate the main idea of the dance using appropriate terminology.

Define the aspects of a choreographic work that make a dance meaningful. Use appropriate terminology to discuss the elements of dance, styles, or cultural movement practices used to illustrate the artist's intent.

Observe the movement characteristics or qualities in a specific dance genre. Explain differences and similarities to one’s attitudes and movement preferences.

Choose a topic, concept, or content from another subject of interest and research how other art forms have expressed the topic. Create and explain a dance study expressing the idea.

Interpret and demonstrate how the movement and qualities of a dance communicate its cultural, historical, and/or community purpose or meaning, including those of Oklahoma American Indian Tribes and communities.

Explore similar or contrasting ideas to develop choreography using a variety of stimuli (e.g., music, observed dance, literary forms, notation, natural phenomena, personal experience/ recall, current news, social events).

Explore various movement vocabularies to transfer ideas into choreography.

Explore choreographic devices and dance structures to develop a dance study supporting an artistic intent. Explain the goal or purpose of the dance.

Develop artistic intention to choreograph a dance study communicating personal or cultural meaning. Based on the intention, evaluate why some movements are more or less effective than others.

Revise dance compositions using collaboratively developed artistic criteria. Explain reasons for revisions and how choices made relate to artistic intent.

Explore or invent a system to record a dance sequence through writing, symbols, or a form of media technology.

Identify body pathways (i.e., central, transverse, and peripheral) to clarify movement intention.

Embody technical dance skills (e.g., alignment, coordination, balance, core support, kinesthetic awareness, clarity of movement) to execute changes of direction, levels, facings, pathways, elevations and landings, extensions of limbs, and movement transitions.

Collaborate as an ensemble to refine dances by executing complex patterns, sequences, and formations, testing options, and finding good results. Document self-improvements over time.

Apply basic anatomical knowledge, proprioceptive feedback, spatial awareness, and nutrition to promote safe and healthy strategies when warming up and dancing.

Refine partner and ensemble skills in the ability to judge distance and spatial design. Establish diverse pathways, levels, and patterns in space. Maintain focus with a partner or group in near and far space.

Use combinations of sudden and sustained timing as it relates to both the metered time and the dynamics of a phrase or dance work. Use accented and unaccented beats.

Explore dynamic expression as it relates to energy relationships in a variety of dance styles. Distinguish between bound and free-flowing movements and apply them to technique exercises and dance phrases.

Use performance etiquette and performance practices during class, rehearsal, and performance. Receive notes from the choreographer, make corrections as needed, and apply to future performances.

Compare and contrast a variety of possible production elements to intensify the artistic intent of the work. Select choices and use production terminology to explain reasons for the decisions made.

Describe recurring patterns of movement and their relationships in dance.

Explain how the elements of dance are used in a variety of dance styles or cultural movement practices using appropriate terminology.

Explain how the artistic expression of a dance is achieved through the elements of dance, use of body, dance technique, dance structure, and context. Use appropriate terminology.

Discuss the characteristics and artistic intent of a dance from a genre, style, or cultural movement practice and develop artistic criteria to critique the dance, using appropriate terminology.