Utah K–6 dance standards

Utah writes its own dance standards. They are published as Utah Fine Arts Core Standards K-6 — Dance, adopted 2016 and are not a version of a national framework. Every one is matched to a national standard.

Split from the combined CSP 'Fine Arts (2016-)' art.csv by discipline letter (D). Replaces the superseded 1997-2016 CSP dance family. See scripts/split-ut-arts.mjs — re-run after any re-fetch.

Framework: Utah Fine Arts Core Standards K-6 — Dance
Adopted: 2016
Source last checked: August 2, 2026

Read the official document

124 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

K.D.CO.1K
Recognize and name emotions experienced when watching, improvising, or performing dance, and relate it to a personal experience.
K.D.CO.2K
Describe and demonstrate movements organized around a specific topic.
K.D.CR.1K
Demonstrate willingness to try new ideas when creating dance.
K.D.CR.2K
Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli.
K.D.CR.3K
Express an idea, feeling, or image while improvising a dance that has a beginning, middle, and end.
K.D.CR.4K
Respond to suggestions and change movement through guided improvisational experiences.
K.D.P.1K
Maintain personal space while in group formations and start and stop on time.
K.D.P.2K
Make still and moving body shapes that show lines.
K.D.P.3K
Move body parts one at a time and in a variety of combinations.
K.D.P.4K
Demonstrate locomotor and non-locomotor movements.
K.D.P.5K
Demonstrate contrasts in tempo by matching movement to a given beat.
K.D.P.6K
Apply different qualities of movement.
K.D.P.7K
Dance for and with others using established performance etiquette.
K.D.R.1K
Select movements from a dance and explain how the movements suggest an idea.
K.D.R.2K
Identify and demonstrate a movement within a dance, and explain why it is fun to watch and do.
1.D.CO.11
Recognize and name emotions experienced when watching, improvising or performing dance, and relate it to a personal experience.
1.D.CO.21
Describe and demonstrate movements organized around a specific topic.
1.D.CR.11
Demonstrate willingness to try new ideas when creating dance.
1.D.CR.21
Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli.
1.D.CR.31
Express an idea, feeling, or image while improvising a dance that has a beginning, middle, and end.
1.D.CR.41
Respond to suggestions and change movement through guided improvisational experiences or short remembered sequences.
1.D.P.11
Demonstrate moving safely through the space using a range of activities and in and out of spatial arrangements while maintaining personal space.
1.D.P.21
Make still and moving body shapes that show contrast.
1.D.P.31
Move body parts one at a time and in a variety of combinations.
1.D.P.41
Demonstrate locomotor and non-locomotor movements.
1.D.P.51
Recognize a steady beat and move to varying tempos.
1.D.P.61
Demonstrate a variety of movement qualities while dancing.
1.D.P.71
Dance for and with others using established performance etiquette.
1.D.R.11
Select movements from a dance, and explain how the movements suggest an idea.
1.D.R.21
Identify and demonstrate movements within a dance, and describe the characteristics that make the movements interesting.
2.D.CO.12
Observe a work of visual art asking questions for discussion, then describe and express through movement something of interest about the artwork.
2.D.CO.22
Observe a dance and relate the movement to the people or environment in which the dance was created and performed.
2.D.CR.12
Demonstrate willingness to work with partners when creating dance.
2.D.CR.22
Explore movement inspired by a variety of stimuli.
2.D.CR.32
Express an idea, feeling, or image while improvising a dance that has a beginning, middle, and end.
2.D.CR.42
Reflect on movement choices and change movement through guided improvisational experiences or short remembered sequences.
2.D.P.12
Move safely in general space through a range of activities and group formations while maintaining personal space.
2.D.P.22
Identify symmetrical and asymmetrical body shapes.
2.D.P.32
Move body parts one at a time and in a variety of combinations.
2.D.P.42
Demonstrate clear pathways and intent when performing locomotor and non-locomotor movements.
2.D.P.52
Identify and demonstrate contrasts in tempo and rhythm through movement.
2.D.P.62
Demonstrate a variety of movement qualities while dancing.
2.D.P.72
Dance for and with others using performance etiquette where the audience and performers occupy different space, and use limited production elements.
2.D.R.12
Use basic dance terminology to describe how movement suggests an idea.
2.D.R.22
Describe the characteristics of dances from a genre or culture that make the movements interesting, giving reasons for the choices of movement.
2.D.R.32
Describe the characteristics of dances from a genre or culture that make the movements interesting, giving reasons for the choices of movement.
3.D.CO.13
Respond to a dance work using a set of questions, create movement using ideas from responses, and explain how certain movements express a specific idea.
3.D.CO.23
Connect a work of dance with a personal experience.
3.D.CO.33
Find a relationship between movement in a dance and the culture where it originated; explain what the movements communicate about key aspects of the culture.
3.D.CR.13
Demonstrate willingness to take turns leading and following when creating dance with others.
3.D.CR.23
Experiment with a variety of self-identified stimuli for movement, and explore a given movement problem by improvising, selecting, and demonstrating possible solutions.
3.D.CR.33
Improvise and create a dance phrase, alone or with others, that expresses and communicates an idea or feeling.
3.D.CR.43
Identify and experiment with ways to manipulate a dance phrase, discuss the effect of movement choices, and revise in response to feedback.
3.D.P.13
Cooperate with a partner or other dancers to safely change levels, directions, and pathway designs in near-, mid-, and far-range movement.
3.D.P.23
Demonstrate shapes with positive and negative space.
3.D.P.33
Replicate body shapes, movement characteristics, and movement patterns with self-awareness and body control.
3.D.P.43
Combine locomotor and non-locomotor movements for skill development.
3.D.P.53
Respond in movement to even and uneven rhythms.
3.D.P.63
Identify, perform and describe movements and phrases with contrasting energy and dynamics.
3.D.P.73
Recall movement sequences with a partner or in group dance activities.
3.D.P.83
Apply constructive feedback from teacher, peers, and self to improve dance skills.
3.D.P.93
Use performance etiquette and performance practices during class, rehearsal, and performance and explore simple production elements and vocabulary.
3.D.R.13
Use basic terminology to describe movement characteristics and patterns, select specific movement cues, and explain how they relate to the main idea of the dance.
3.D.R.23
Select dance movements from specific genres, styles or cultures, and identify and describe the movement characteristics that make dance artistic. Discuss why the movements were chosen.
4.D.CO.14
Explain how the main idea of a dance is similar to or different from one's own experiences, relationships, ideas, or perspectives.
4.D.CO.24
Select a topic of study in school and develop research questions to explore, then choreograph movements that relate key aspects about the topic that communicate the information; discuss what was learned from researching the question and creating the dance.
4.D.CO.44
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.
4.D.CR.14
Demonstrate willingness to listen to others' ideas and cooperate when creating dance.
4.D.CR.24
Identify ideas for choreography generated from a variety of stimuli to solve given movement problems.
4.D.CR.34
Develop a dance study, alone or with others, that expresses and communicates a main idea.
4.D.CR.44
Manipulate and expand movement possibilities to create a variety of movement patterns and structures, and discuss the reasons for movement choices and the effectiveness of movement choices.
4.D.CR.54
Revise movement based on peer feedback and self-reflection to improve a short dance study and explain the changes made.
4.D.P.14
Establish spatial relationships with other dancers while safely using levels, directions, focus, and pathway designs in near-, mid-, and farrange movement.
4.D.P.24
Make still and moving shapes with positive and negative space.
4.D.P.34
Analyze and demonstrate how body parts align for safe and efficient movement in activities that extend range of movement, build strength, and develop endurance.
4.D.P.44
Demonstrate fundamental dance skills through locomotor and nonlocomotor sequences.
4.D.P.54
Differentiate and perform movement with metric and irregular phrasing and respond to tempo changes as they occur in dance and music.
4.D.P.64
Analyze, describe, and perform movement phrases using contrasting energy and dynamic changes.
4.D.P.74
Recall and replicate movement sequences with a partner or in group dance activities.
4.D.P.84
Apply constructive feedback from teacher, peers, and self to improve dance performance.
4.D.P.94
Use performance etiquette and performance practices during class, rehearsal, and in formal and informal performance spaces.
4.D.P.104
Identify, explore, and experiment with a variety of production elements to heighten the artistic intent and audience experience.
4.D.R.14
Use basic dance terminology to describe patterns of movement that create a style or theme.
4.D.R.24
Discuss the characteristics that make a dance artistic.
5.D.CO.15
Compare and contrast two dances with different themes, discuss feelings and ideas evoked by each, and relate to personal experience.
5.D.CO.25
Select a topic of study in school and research how other art forms have expressed the topic, then create a dance study that expresses the idea.
5.D.CO.35
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.
5.D.CR.15
Demonstrate willingness to try new ideas, methods, and approaches when creating dance.
5.D.CR.25
Use a variety of stimuli and solve multiple movement problems to develop choreographic content.
5.D.CR.35
Develop a dance study, creating original movement that expresses and communicates a main idea.
5.D.CR.45
Manipulate and expand movement possibilities to create a variety of movement patterns and structures, and explain the reasons for and effectiveness of movement choices.
5.D.CR.55
Explore feedback from others to expand choreographic possibilities for a short dance study that communicates artistic intent, and explain the changes made.
5.D.P.15
Establish spatial relationships with other dancers while safely using levels, directions, focus, and pathway designs in near-, mid-, and farrange movement.
5.D.P.25
Integrate still and moving shapes and floor and air pathways into dance sequences.
5.D.P.35
Develop self-awareness and apply safe movement principles and practices and discuss how these practices promote strength, flexibility, endurance, and injury prevention.
5.D.P.45
Recall and execute a series of dance phrases using fundamental dance skills.
5.D.P.55
Differentiate and perform movement with metric and irregular phrasing and accents; respond to tempo changes as they occur in dance and music.
5.D.P.65
Analyze, refine and perform movement phrases using contrasting energy and dynamic changes.
5.D.P.75
Collaborate with peer ensemble members to repeat sequences, synchronize actions, and refine spatial relationships to improve performance quality.
5.D.P.85
Apply feedback from self and others to establish personal performance goals.
5.D.P.95
Use performance etiquette and practices during class, rehearsal, and in formal and informal performance spaces.
5.D.P.105
Identify, explore, and select production elements to heighten and intensify the artistic intent of a dance and that are adaptable for various performance spaces.
5.D.R.15
Use basic dance terminology to describe patterns of movement that create a style or theme.
5.D.R.25
Define the characteristics that make a dance artistic and meaningful; talk about why these characteristics were chosen, and apply those criteria to dances observed or preformed in a specific genre, style, or cultural movement practice.
6.D.CO.16
Discuss how the experience of creating and sharing a dance reinforces personal views or offers new knowledge and perspective.
6.D.CO.26
Conduct research using a variety of resources to find information about a self-selected topic, and use the information to create a dance study that expresses a specific point of view on the topic.
6.D.CO.36
Interpret and show how the movement and qualities of a dance communicate its cultural, historical, and/or community ideas and perspectives of the culture, historical period, or community purpose or meaning.
6.D.CR.16
Demonstrate openness, willingness and persistence in trying new ideas, methods and approaches in creating dance.
6.D.CR.26
Use a variety of stimuli and solve multiple movement problems to develop unique choreographic content.
6.D.CR.36
Develop a dance study that communicates personal or cultural meaning.
6.D.CR.46
Manipulate and expand movement possibilities to create a variety of movement patterns and structures, and explain the reasons for and effectiveness of movement choices.
6.D.CR.56
Revise dance compositions using determined artistic criteria, and explain reasons for revisions and how choices made relate to artistic intent.
6.D.P.16
Build partner and ensemble skills by demonstrating effective spatial relationships with diverse pathways, levels, and patterns in space.
6.D.P.26
Integrate original still and moving shapes and floor and air pathways into dance sequences.
6.D.P.36
Promote safe and healthful strategies by applying basic anatomical knowledge, self-awareness, proprioceptive feedback and spatial awareness while dancing.
6.D.P.46
Embody technical skills to accurately execute locomotor and nonlocomotor changes of direction, levels, facings, pathways, elevations and landings, extensions of limbs, and movement transitions.
6.D.P.56
Move accurately in a variety of meters, with and without accented beats, and use combinations of sudden and sustained timing as it relates to the dynamics of a phrase or dance work.
6.D.P.66
Refine demonstration of varied dynamics within performance.
6.D.P.76
Collaborate as an ensemble to refine dances by identifying what works and does not work in executing complex patterns, sequences, and formations.
6.D.P.86
Apply personal and ensemble improvements in performance by responding to feedback from the others.
6.D.P.96
Use performance etiquette and practices during class, rehearsal, and performance.
6.D.P.106
Compare and contrast a variety of possible production elements that would intensify and heighten the artistic intent of a dance work in a variety of traditional and alternative performance venues.
6.D.R.16
Use basic dance terminology to explain how the artistic expression of a dance is achieved through the elements of dance, use of body, dance technique, dance structure and context.
6.D.R.26
Interpret artistic intent and use criteria to critique a dance and explain what the movement communicates.

Utah K–6 dance standards

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