Oregon K–6 dance standards

Respond in movement to a variety of stimuli (e.g., images, symbols, adverbs, adjectives, elements of nature, tactile, emotions).

Improvise movement that has a beginning, middle, and end and expresses an idea.

Apply suggestions for changing movement through guided improvisational experiences.

Match movement to musical tempo and apply different qualities to movement.

Demonstrate same-side and cross-body locomotor and non-locomotor movements and body shapes with spatial awareness.

Move safely while maintaining personal space and demonstrate balance in various body positions.

Dance for others in a designated space.

Demonstrate or describe observed dance movements.

Pick a movement from a dance and repeat it.

Explain why you like it.

Recognize and name an emotion that is experienced when watching or performing dance and relate it to a personal experience.

Observe a work of visual art. Describe what is seen and express it through movement.

Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli and identify the sources of movement inspiration.

Create a series of movements with a beginning, middle, and end.

Draw a picture of the movement.

Explore suggestions to change movement within short remembered sequences.

Recognize steady beat and move to beats at varying speeds.

Demonstrate movement that interprets descriptive words (e.g., use adverbs and adjectives that apply to movement such as a bouncy leap, a floppy fall, a jolly jump, and a joyful spin).

Demonstrate a range of locomotor and non-locomotor movements, body shapes, and directionality with spatial awareness.

Demonstrate balance while stationary and in motion safely, while maintaining personal space.

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

Identify a movement in a dance that repeats.

Describe it using simple dance terminology (e.g., march, tip-toe, jump).

Identify several movements in a dance and describe the characteristics that make the movements interesting.

Talk about why they were chosen.

Share a personal experience and express it through dance movement.

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 and suggest additional sources for movement ideas.

Create a dance phrase with a clear beginning, middle, and end that has a main idea.

Draw a map or picture of the dance.

Make choices to change movement from guided improvisation and/or short remembered sequences.

Identify the length of time (duration) a move or phrase takes (e.g., whether it is long or short).

Choose and demonstrate movement qualities appropriate to different music selections and movement contexts.

Demonstrate a range of locomotor and non-locomotor movements and basic dance combinations that require moving through space using a variety of pathways.

Adjust and modify movements and spatial arrangements upon request.

Use simple production elements (e.g., hand props or simple scenery) while performing dance for others.

Identify a movement from a dance that suggests an idea.

Explain how the movement captures the idea using simple dance terminology (e.g., gallop, bend, turn).

Observe different dances and discuss characteristics of the dances that make them work well.

Explain why, using simple dance terminology.

Describe, create, and/or perform a dance that expresses personal meaning.

Explain how certain movements express this personal meaning.

Read or write a story and dance it.

Experiment with a variety of self-identified stimuli for movement (e.g., text, images, observed dance, personal experiences).

Create a simple movement combination using other dance structures (e.g., AB, ABA, theme and variation, repetition) that may express an idea or feeling.

Revise movement choices in response to feedback to improve a short dance combination.

Describe the differences the changes made in the movements.

Fill specified duration of time with movement and differentiate between "in time" and "out of time" to music.

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

Demonstrate dance combinations with a partner or in a group combining body shapes and movement patterns.

Adjust body-use to coordinate with others to safely execute movement with an awareness of body alignment.

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

Identify and describe elements of dance (e.g., body parts, shapes, movement patterns, relationships, use of space, time, and effort) in an observed dance from a specific genre or culture.

Select dance movements from specific genres or cultures.

Identify characteristic movements from these dances and describe in basic dance terminology ways in which they are alike and different.

Compare the relationships expressed in a dance to relationships in one's own life.

Explain how they are the same or different.

Observe a dance and relate the movement to the people or environment in which the dance was created and performed.

Identify ideas for choreography generated from a variety of stimuli (e.g., notation, emotions, observed dance, personal experiences).

In a group, use movement concepts (e.g., change level, direction, timing, relationships) to vary a movement combination.

Discuss the effect of the movement choices.

Revise movement choices based on peer feedback and self-reflection to improve a short dance combination.

Explain choices made in the process.

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

Analyze movements and phrases for use of energy and dynamic changes.

Demonstrate combinations of fundamental dance steps incorporating changes in levels and direction.

Execute techniques that extend flexibility, build strength, and develop endurance.

Explain the relationship between execution of technique, safe body-use (alignment, balance, coordination), and healthful nutrition.

Identify and experiment with a variety of production elements to heighten the audience's experience.

Use elements of dance to decipher meaning in an observed dance from one or more genres or cultures.

Identify and discuss, using basic dance terminology, the characteristics that make a dance interesting or meaningful.

Apply those characteristics to a variety of dances observed.

Relate the main idea or content in a dance to one's own experiences.

Explain how the main idea of a dance is similar to or different from one's own experiences, ideas, or perspectives.

Read an article of interest. Choose words from the article and generate movements that symbolize those words.

Build content for choreography using several stimuli (e.g., literary forms, natural phenomena, current news, social events).

In a group, develop a dance combination by selecting specific movement vocabulary to communicate a main idea.

Document the dance and explain reasons for movement choices.

Refine movements based on peer feedback and self-reflection to clarify communication of an idea within a dance combination.

Record changes made through writing, drawings, or media technology.

Dance to a variety of rhythms.

Contrast bound and free-flowing movements.

Recall and execute a simple dance sequence using fundamental dance steps in one or more styles.

Demonstrate safe body-use practices during technical exercises and movement combinations.

Discuss how these practices, along with healthful nutrition and a positive sense of emotional well-being enhance dance performance and prevent injuries.

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

Interpret meaning in a dance based on its movements.

Explain how the movements symbolize the main idea of the dance using basic dance terminology (e.g., grapevine, elbow swing, tempo).

Define, using basic dance terminology, the characteristics that make dance interesting or meaningful in specific genres or cultural movement practices.

Relate them to the elements of dance.

Compare two dances with contrasting themes.

Discuss feelings and ideas evoked by each. Describe how the themes and movements relate to points of view and personal experiences.

Write a story based on a historical, cultural, or societal issue and create a short dance that captures the essence of the story. Or, interview someone and create a short dance depicting her/his experiences or stories.

Relate similar or contrasting ideas to develop choreography using a variety of stimuli.

In a group, use different dance structures and movement concepts to vary a dance combination.

Revise dance compositions using collaboratively developed artistic criteria.

Accurately use accented and unaccented beats in different meters.

Vary muscular tension to represent different emotions and meanings as it applies to one or more dance styles.

Recall and demonstrate varied dance sequences with an emphasis on spatial awareness within partner and group formations in one or more dance styles.

Demonstrate understanding of basic anatomy, kinesthetic awareness, and movement mechanics to develop technical dance skills and promote safe and healthful practices.

Discuss elements of nutrition and healthy body image.

Compare and contrast a variety of possible production elements that would heighten the artistic intent of a dance.

Select choices and explain reasons for the decisions made.

Explain how the artistic intent of a dance is achieved through the elements of dance, dance structure, and context.

Explain how these communicate the intent of the dance using genre specific dance terminology (e.g., plié, chassé, pathways).

Compare and contrast how the elements of dance are used differently in a variety of dance genres and how the elements contribute to meaning of dances.

Observe movement characteristics observed in a specific dance genre.

Describe differences and similarities about what was observed to one's own movement preferences.

Relate the basic elements from different art forms with dance elements (e.g., body, relationships, space, time, force).

Create dance movement that integrates elements from different art forms.