Tennessee 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.

Observe a work of visual art. Describe and then express through movement something of interest about the artwork, and ask questions for discussion concerning the artwork.

Identify and demonstrate proper safety measures in the studio and/or performance space.

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

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

Explore different ways to do basic locomotor and non-locomotor movements by changing at least one of the elements of dance.

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

Express an idea, feeling, or image through improvised movement 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

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

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

Identify and apply different characteristics to movements (e.g., slow, smooth, or wavy).

Demonstrate same-side and cross-body 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 was noticed in a dance. Demonstrate the movement that was noticed, 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.

Identify and demonstrate proper safety measures in the studio and/or performance space.

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 changing the elements of dance.

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

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

Explore suggestions to change movement from guided improvisation and/or 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).

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 movement vocabulary (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 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 performance.

Find 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 movements from a dance that suggest ideas, and explain 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 talk about why they 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 (e.g., See, Think, Wonder). Create movement using ideas from responses, and explain how certain movements express a spe cific idea.

Identify and demonstrate proper safety measures in the studio and/or performance space.

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

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 while manipulating the elements of dance.

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

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

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. Diffe rentiate 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 in duple and triple meter. Correlate metric phrasing with movement phrasing.

Select and apply appropriate characteristics to movements (e.g., selecting specific adverbs and adjectives and applying 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 (e.g., hand props, simple scenery, or media projections).

Find movements in a dance that develop a pattern.

Demonstrate and describe movements in dance 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. Use simple dance terminology.

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

Ask and 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.

Identify and demonstrate proper safety measures in the studio and/or performance space.

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

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

Explore a given movement problem. Select and demonstrate a solution.

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

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.

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 axial 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. Use metric and kinesthetic phrasing.

Change use of energy and dynamics by modifying movements and applying specific characteristics to heighten 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 (e.g., stage right, stage left, center stage, upstage, and downstage).

Explore simple production elements (costumes, props, music, scenery, lighting, or media) 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.

Select dance movements from specific genr es, styles, or cultures. Identify characteristic movements from these dances, and describe in basic dance terminology 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 relating to a topic of study in school using multiple sources of references. Select key aspects about the 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.

Identify and demonstrate proper safety measures in the studio and performance space.

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.

Identify ideas for choreography generated from a variety of stimuli (e.g., music/sound, text, objects, images, notation, observed dance, experiences).

Develop a movement problem, and manipulate the elements of dance as tools to find a solution.

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 that expresses and communicates 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).

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 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 (e.g., alignment, coordination, balance, core support, kinesthetic awareness) 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 (e.g., music, text, or lighting). Reflect on feedback from others to inform personal dance performance goals.

Consider how to establish a formal performance space from an informal setting (e.g., gymnasium or grassy area).

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.

Discuss and demonstrate the characteristics that make a dance artistic, and apply those characteristics to dances observed or performed in a specific genre, style, or cultural movement practice. Use basic dance terminology.

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 a dance study that expresses the idea. Explain how the dance study expressed the idea, and discuss how this learning process is similar to or differ ent from other learning situations.

Identify and demonstrate proper safety measures in the studio and performance space.

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

Construct and solve multiple movement problems to develop 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 vocabulary to communicate a main idea. Discuss how the dance communicates non-verbally.

Expl or e through movement the feedback from ot he rs to expand ch o r e o g r aph i c po ss i b ili t i e s f o r a sh o r t dance s t u d y t ha t c o m m un i cates a r t i st i c i nten t. E x p l a i n t h e m o ve m en t ch o i ces an d r e f i n e m en ts.

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 both central initiation (torso) and peripheral initiation (distal), and analyze the relationship between initiation and energy.

Recall and execute a series of dance phrases using fundamental dance skills (e.g., alignment, coordination, balance, core support, kinesthetic awareness, clarity of movement).

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 style found in a different dance genre, style, or cultural movement practice, also 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.

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

Analyze and compare various movement qualities and dance elements from various genres and cross-cultural dances to one's own personal experiences and knowledge.

Research aspects from the historical, social, or cultural development of a dance genre. Analyze how these aspects affect the development of the movement.

Identify and apply basic anatomical knowledge and spatial awareness to promote safe and healthful practices while warming up and dancing.

Examine the effects of healthful/unhealthful living choices.

Identify and demonstrate proper safety measures in the studio and theater.

Identify and analyze the similarities and differences in various genres of dance. Identify and compare the historical background of cultural, classical, theatrical, and contemporary forms of dance.

Identify ritualistic dance from other cultures and locations throughout the world. Identify social impacts on the development of a particular genre or style of dance

Explore a variety of stimuli to generate movement through various improvisational approaches. Develop self-awareness and self-confidence through the explanation of movement.

Explore various movement vocabularies, and solve movement problems to develop choreographic content.

Create movement from a variety of stimuli that develops artistic expression, and use to create an original dance study. Explain choices using appropriate dance terminology.

Identify and explore choreographic devices and structures. Develop a dance study individually or with a group using various devices and structures that supports artistic intent

. Use a variety of choreographic devices and structures to develop a dance study with clear artistic intent. Explain how choreographic choices support the artistic intent.

Identify and explore movement choices that communicate personal or cultural meaning. Create a dance study incorporating these choices.

Identify and develop artistic criteria to revise a dance study. Revise a composition using the artistic criteria. Explain choices and revisions, and articulate how they affect artistic intent.

Investigate and explore a recognized system to document or record a dance sequence using symbols, writing, or a form of media technology.

Use space to develop kinesthetic awareness while performing various pathways, levels, and patterns in space alone and with others. Demonstrate use of space by designing body shapes in relation to others, objects, and environment. Maintain focus with partner or group in near and far space.

Use combinations of sudden and sustained timing as it relates to both the time and the dynamics of a phrase or dance study. Accurately use accented and unaccented beats in 3/4 and 4/4 meter. Demonstrate dance phrases of different lengths that use various timings within the same section.

Identify and demonstrate energy/effort and dynamics in technique exercises and dance performances. Use energy and dynamics to enhance and project movements. Identify uses of energy/effort and dynamics in a variety of dance genres.

Identify and demonstrate technical skills including proper body alignment, coordination, balance, core support, endurance, flexibility, transfer of weight, and body part articulation in locomotor and axial movements in a particular genre of dance.

Identify and use appropriate dance terminology.

Refine technique through teacher-given corrections and self-evaluations using appropriate dance terminology.

Demonstrate movement combinations in the center and across the floor using correct technique and musicality.

Apply movement principles such as movement initiation and use of imagery while performing dance sequences and movement studies.

Identify and demonstrate appropriate performance etiquette and performance practices during class, rehearsal, and performance. Document efforts, and create a plan for ongoing improvements.

Identify, explore, and analyze the basic elements of dance production.

Describe, analyze, interpret, and discuss movement sequences and their relationships to the artistic intent.

Identify and analyze how the elements of dance are used in a variety of genres or cultural movement practices. Use genre-specific terminology.

Generate appropriate feedback in verbal or written form for peers and self to develop technique and performance skills. Analyze and apply feedback from teachers, peers, or self-evaluation.

Explain how the artistic expression of a dance is achieved through the elements of dance, use of body, dance technique, and context using genre-specific terminology from the dance as evidence to support the explanation

Identify artistic criteria to determine the effectiveness of a dance using the characteristics of a genre or cultural movement practice. Use the artistic criteria to determine a particular dance work's effectiveness, and evaluate it considering the content, context, genre, or cultural movement practice to comprehend artistic expression. Use genre-specific terminology.