South Dakota K–6 dance standards

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

Describe and express through movement something of interest about a piece of visual art. Discuss questions concerning the artwork.

Describe or demonstrate the movements in a dance that was watched or performed. Discuss the historical context, representation, and/or meaning of the dance.

Respond to a variety of stimuli using movement.

Explore different ways to use basic locomotor and non-locomotor movements by changing one or more of the elements of dance.

Improvise dance that has a beginning, middle, and end.

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

Apply suggestions for changing movement through guided improvisational experiences.

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

Make still and moving body shapes that show lines, change levels, and vary in size. Join with others to make a circle formation and work with others to change its dimensions.

Demonstrate tempo contrasts with movements that match to tempo of sound stimuli.

Identify and apply different characteristics to movements.

Demonstrate same-side and cross-lateral locomotor and non-locomotor movements, body patterning movements, and body shapes.

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

Move body parts in relation to other body parts and repeat and recall movements upon request.

Dance for and with others in a designated space.

Select a prop to use as part of a dance.

Find a movement that repeats in a dance.

Demonstrate or describe observed or performed dance movements.

Observe movement and describe it using simple dance terminology.

Find a movement that attracted attention in a dance. Demonstrate the movement and explain why it attracted attention.

Find an experience expressed or portrayed in a dance that relates to a familiar experience. Identify the movements that communicate this experience.

Observe illustrations from a story. Discuss observations and identify ideas for dance movement and demonstrate the big ideas of the story.

Watch and/or perform a dance from a different culture. Discuss the historical context, representation, and/or meaning of the dance and demonstrate the types of movement danced.

Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli.

Explore a variety of locomotor and non-locomotor movements by experimenting with and changing the elements of dance.

Improvise a series of movements that have a beginning, middle, and end, and describe movement choices.

Express an idea/emotion or follow a musical phrase through chosen movement.

Explore suggestions to change movement from guided improvisation and/or short memorized sequences.

Depict several dance movements of a dance by drawing a picture or using symbols.

Demonstrate locomotor and non-locomotor movements that change body shapes, levels, and facings. Move in straight, curved, and zig-zagged 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.

Demonstrate movement characteristics along with adverbs and adjectives that apply to movement.

Demonstrate a range of locomotor and non-locomotor movements, body patterning, body shapes, and directionality.

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

Modify movements and spatial arrangements upon request.

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

Explore the use of simple props to enhance dance performance.

1Find a movement that repeats in a dance to make a pattern.

Demonstrate and describe observed or performed dance movements from a specific genre or culture.

Select, with teacher assistance, movements from a dance that suggest ideas and discuss how the movement captures the idea using simple dance terminology.

Identify and demonstrate several movements in a dance that attracted attention. Describe the characteristics that make the movements interesting and discuss why the movements were chosen.

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

Respond to a dance work using an inquiry-based set of questions (such as see, think, wonder) and create movement using ideas from these 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 by discussing the historical context, representation, and/or meaning of the dance

Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli and propose additional sources for movement ideas.

Combine a variety of movements while manipulating the elements of dance.

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

Express an idea/emotion or follow a musical phrase through chosen movement. Explain reasons for movement choices.

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

Depict the levels of movements in a variety of dance movements by drawing a picture or using symbols.

Demonstrate clear directionality and intent when performing locomotor and non-locomotor movements that change body shapes, facings, and pathways in space. Identify 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. Identify and move on the downbeat in duple and triple meter. Correlate metric phrasing with movement phrasing.

Select and apply appropriate characteristics to movements using adverbs and adjectives and apply them to movements. Demonstrate kinesthetic awareness while dancing the movement characteristics.

Demonstrate a range of locomotor and non-locomotor movements, body patterning, and dance sequences that require moving through space using a variety of pathways.

Move safely in a variety of spatial relationships and formations with other dancers, sharing and maintaining personal space.

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

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

Use limited production elements.

Find movements in a dance that develop a pattern.

Demonstrate and describe movements in dances from different genres or cultures.

Use context cues from movement to identify meaning and intent in a dance using simple dance terminology.

Observe or demonstrate dances from a genre or culture. Discuss movements and other aspects of the dances that make the dances work well and explain why they work using simple dance terminology.

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

Research a question about a key aspect of a dance that communicates a perspective about an issue or event. Explore the key aspect through movement. Share movements and describe how the movements help to remember or discover new qualities in these key aspects. Communicate the new learning in oral, written, or movement form.

Find a relationship between movements in a dance from a culture, society, or community and the culture from which the dance is derived. Explain what the movements communicate about the key aspects of the culture, society, or community.

Experiment with a variety of student chosen stimuli for movement.

Explore a given movement problem. Select and demonstrate a solution with teacher guidance.

Identify and experiment with choreographic devices to create simple movement patterns and dance structures.

Develop a dance phrase that expresses and communicates an idea or feeling. Discuss the effect of the movement choices on the development of the phrase.

Revise movement choices in response to feedback to improve a short dance study. Describe the impact of these revisions.

Depict directions or and/or spatial pathways in a dance phrase by drawing a picture map or using symbols.

Judge spaces as distance traveled and use space three-dimensionally. Demonstrate 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 time orientation to accompaniment.

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

Replicate body shapes, movement characteristics, and movement patterns in a dance sequence with awareness of body alignment and core support.

Adjust body use to coordinate with a partner or other dancers to safely change levels, directions, and pathway designs.

Recall movement sequences with a partner or in group dance activities. Apply constructive feedback from teacher and self-check to improve dance skills.

Identify the main areas of a performance space using production terminology.

Explore simple production elements for a dance performed for an audience in a designated specific performance space.

Find a movement pattern that creates a movement phrase in a dance work.

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

Select specific context cues from movement. Explain how they relate to the main idea of the dance using basic dance terminology.

Identify, compare, and contrast dance movements from different genres, styles, or cultures.

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 relating to a topic of study in school using multiple references. Select key aspects about a relevant topic and choreograph movements that communicate the information. Discuss what was learned from creating the dance and describe how the topic might be communicated using another form of expression.

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.

Identify and demonstrate ideas for choreography from a variety of stimuli.

Develop a movement problem with teacher guidance and manipulate the elements of dance using tools to find a solution.

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

Develop a dance study that expresses and communicates a main idea. Discuss the reasons for and effectiveness of the movement choices in regard to the main idea.

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.

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

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 and use adverbs and adjectives to describe them. Based on the analysis, refine the phrases by incorporating a range of movement characteristics.

Demonstrate fundamental dance skills and movement qualities when replicating and recalling patterns and sequences of locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

Execute techniques that extend movement range, build strength, and develop endurance. Explain the relationship between execution of technique, safe body-use, and healthful nutrition.

Coordinate phrases and timing with other dancers by cueing off each other and responding to stimuli cues. Reflect on feedback from others to inform personal dance performance goals.

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

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

Find patterns of movement in dance works that create a style or theme.

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

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

Using basic dance terminology, discuss and demonstrate the characteristics that make a dance artistic. Apply those characteristics to dances observed or performed in a specific genre, 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 and experiences.

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

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.

Build choreography using several stimuli.

Explore various movement vocabularies to transfer ideas into choreography. Develop choreography to solve multiple movement problems.

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 vocabulary to communicate a main idea. Discuss how the dance communicates non-verbally.

Explore, through movement, the feedback from others to expand choreographic possibilities for a short dance study that communicates artistic intent. Explain the movement choices and refinements.

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

Integrate static and dynamic shapes and floor and air pathways into dance sequences. Establish relationships with other dancers through focus of eyes and other body parts. Convert inward focus to outward focus for projecting out to far space.

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

Contrast bound and free-flowing movements. Motivate movement from a variety of movement initiations.

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

Demonstrate safe body-use practices during technical exercises and movement combinations. Discuss how these practices, along with healthful eating habits, promote strength, flexibility, endurance, and injury prevention.

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.

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

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

Find meaning or artistic intent from the patterns of movement in a dance work.

Describe, using basic dance terminology, the qualities and characteristics of style used in a dance from one's own cultural movement practice. Compare them to the qualities and characteristics of a style found in a different dance genre, style, or cultural movement practice using basic dance terminology.

Interpret meaning in a dance based on its movements. Explain how the movements communicate the main idea of the dance using basic dance terminology.

Using basic dance terminology, describe and define the characteristics of dance that make a dance artistic and meaningful. Relate characteristics to the elements of dance in genres, styles, or cultural movement practices.

Compare, contrast, and relate movement characteristics and connections between dance genres. Discuss the relevance of the connections to the development of one's personal perspectives.

Investigate two contrasting topics, such as historical development of a dance genre or an issue of great interest, using a variety of research methods. Create a dance study exploring the contrasting ideas. Document the process of research and application.

Analyze and discuss, how dances from a variety of cultures, societies, historical periods, or communities reveal the ideas and perspectives of the people.

Relate similar and contrasting ideas to develop choreography. Implement movement from a variety of stimuli to develop an original dance.

Create an original dance using personal preference. Use dance terminology to articulate and justify choices made in movement.

Collaborate and explore using a variety of choreographic devices and dance structures to develop and choreograph a dance with artistic intent. Articulate the group process for making movement and structural choices.

Determine, define, and apply artistic criteria to choreograph a dance that communicates personal or cultural meaning. Evaluate and discuss how the criteria clarifies or intensifies the meaning of the dance.

Demonstrate the understanding and responsibility of fair use and copyright as applied to the creation and sharing of dance.

Revise and evaluate choreography collaboratively or independently based on artistic criteria, self-reflection, and the feedback of others. Articulate the reasons for choices and revisions and explain how they clarify and enhance the artistic intent.

Explore, investigate, and experiment with documentation of a section of a dance by using words, symbols, or media technologies.

Refine partner and ensemble skills in the ability to judge distance and spatial design. Expand movement vocabulary of floor and air pattern designs. Sculpt the body in space and design body shapes in relation to other dancers, objects, and environment. Incorporate and modify body designs from different dance genres and styles for the purpose of expanding movement vocabulary. Including differently designed shapes and movements for interest and contrast. Maintain focus with partner or group in near or far space. Use focus of eyes during complex floor and air patterns or direct and indirect pathways.

Use a combination of sudden and sustained timing as it relates to both the time and dynamics of a dance phrase or dance work. Vary and analyze durational approach in dance phrasing by using timing accents and variations within a phrase to add interest kinesthetically, rhythmically, and visually. Accurately use accented and unaccented beats in a variety of meters. Use different tempi in different body parts at the same time.

Use internal impulse movement initiation and dynamic expression. Distinguish between bound and free flow movements and apply them to technique exercises and dance phrases. Compare and contrast movement characteristics from a variety of dance genres or styles. Direct energy and dynamics in such a way that movement is textured. Incorporate energy and dynamics to technique exercises and dance performance using them.

2 Apply basic anatomical principles, proprioceptive feedback, spatial awareness, and nutrition to promote safe and healthful strategies when warming up and dancing. Evaluate personal healthful practices in dance activities and everyday life including nutrition and injury prevention. Discuss benefits of practices, and how choices enhance performance, and methods for improvement.

Embody technical dance skills to replicate, recall, and execute spatial designs and musical or rhythmical dance phrases. Apply body-use strategies to accommodate physical maturational development to technical dance skills. Accurately execute changes of direction, levels, facing, pathways, elevations and landings, extensions of limbs, and movement transitions.

Collaborate with peers and ensemble to practice and refine dances by identifying what works and does not work in executing complex patterns, sequences, and formations. Discover strategies for achieving performance accuracy, clarity, and expressiveness. Develop group performance expectations through observation and analysis. Solve movement problems to dances by testing options and finding good results. Articulate personal performance goals and practice to reach goals. Document personal improvement over time.

Recognize and recommend needs and adapt movements to a performance area. Demonstrate leadership qualities when preparing for performances. Use performance etiquette and performance practices during class, rehearsal, and performance. Document efforts and create a plan for ongoing improvements. Post-performance, accept notes from choreographer and apply corrections to future performances.

Compare and contrast a variety of possible production elements that would intensify and heighten the artistic intent of the work. Select choices and explain reasons for the decisions made using production terminology. Explore possibilities of producing dance in a variety of venues or for different audiences and, using production terminology, explain how the production elements would be handled in different situations. Collaborate to design and execute production elements that would intensify and heighten the artistic intent of a dance performed on a stage, in a different venue, or for different audiences. Explain reasons for choices using production terminology.

Describe, demonstrate, and compare and contrast patterns of movement and their relationships to artistic intent.

Explain and compare how the elements of dance are used in a variety of genres, styles, or cultural movement practices to communicate intent. Use genre-specific dance terminology.

Select and compare different dances and explain how artistic expression is achieved through relationships among the elements of dance, use of body, dance technique and context. Cite elements of the artistic expression in the dance to support the interpretation using genre specific dance terminology.

Using genre specific dance terminology and artistic criteria, compare artistic intent, content, and context from a variety of dances to examine the characteristics of each and determine what makes an effective performance.