YourStateStandards

Virginia K–6 dance standards

Virginia writes its own dance standards. They are published as Dance Arts Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools, adopted 2020 and are not a version of a national framework. 107 of 125 are matched to a national standard.

2020 Dance Arts SOL K-6, extracted from VDOE's own adopted Word document (showpublisheddocument/7962, Wayback 20250902063435) by scripts/extract-va-dance.py, because CSP carries only the superseded 2013 Fine Arts dance set (grades 6-8, synthetic S-codes; no K-5). Codes are VDOE's own grade.standard numbering (K.1-K.18 ... 6.1-6.17); the unlabelled 'including:' sub-item bullets are folded into the parent description rather than emitted as separate codes. Verified by full code set-difference vs the sibling adopted PDF (/7964): 125/125 codes, 0 drift (the 3 apparent PDF-only misses were whitespace artifacts, confirmed present). Re-run scripts/extract-va-dance.py if dance.csv is re-fetched — a plain CSP fetch would otherwise regenerate the superseded 2013 draft. Content crosswalk to ncas DA is deferred (crosswalk-only).

Framework
Dance Arts Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools
Adopted
2020
Source last checked
August 10, 2026
Read the official document

125 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • K.1K

    The student will explore how movement communicates meaning.

  • K.2K

    The student will ask questions about dance arts.

  • K.3K

    The student will describe dance performances using appropriate dance vocabulary.

  • K.4K

    The student will describe personal connections to and interests in dance.

  • K.5K

    The student will recognize that dance is an art form that consists of individuals working both in groups and individually.

  • K.6K

    The student will respond to dance works from a variety of time periods, places, and people.

  • K.7K

    The student will identify a variety of reasons why people dance.

  • K.8K

    The student will identify information about dance from provided resources.

  • K.9K

    The student will recognize dance as an art form and profession.

  • K.10K

    The student will recognize ways that technology is used in dance.

  • K.11K

    The student will recognize connections between music, theatre, and visual arts in dance experiences.

  • K.12K

    The student will recognize and apply skills and concepts of body in dance activities and performance, including: Parts of the body. Using body positions to create shapes.

  • K.13K

    The student will recognize locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

  • K.14K

    The student will recognize personal and general space.

  • K.15K

    The student will recognize a variety of rhythms and tempos in dance.

  • K.16K

    The student will recognize skills and concepts of energy in dance.

  • K.17K

    The student will identify safety procedures in dance spaces.

  • K.18K

    The student will recognize styles of dance.

  • 1.11

    The student will improvise movement in response to a variety of prompts.

  • 1.21

    The student will generate ideas and collaborate to expand ideas to solve dance challenges.

  • 1.31

    The student will describe similarities and differences in dance works using dance terms.

  • 1.41

    The student will describe personal reactions or responses to dance works.

  • 1.51

    The student will identify and apply skills needed to collaborate in dance activities and performances, including performer and audience etiquette.

  • 1.61

    The student will identify and respond to dance works from a variety of time periods, places, and people.

  • 1.71

    The student will identify and describe reasons why people create, view, and participate in dance.

  • 1.81

    The student will explore appropriate sources for viewing dance works.

  • 1.91

    The student will identify and discuss careers in dance.

  • 1.101

    The student will identify and describe how technology is used in dance performances.

  • 1.111

    The student will describe and explore connections between music, theatre, and visual arts with dance experiences.

  • 1.121

    The student will identify skills and concepts of body in dance activities and performance, including: Parts of the body. The use of the body to create shapes.

  • 1.131

    The student will identify skills and concepts of action in dance activities and performance, including: Locomotor movements. Non-locomotor movements.

  • 1.141

    The student will identify skills and concepts of space in dance activities and performance, including: Personal space. General space. Size. Levels.

  • 1.151

    The student will identify skills and concepts of time in dance activities and performance, including: Tempos. Rhythms.

  • 1.161

    The student will identify skills and concepts of energy in dance activities and performance, including: Movement flow. Weight.

  • 1.171

    The student will describe why safety procedures are necessary for dance activities and performances.

  • 1.181

    The student will recognize and explore styles of dance including but not limited to ballet, jazz, and tap.

  • 2.12

    The student will improvise movement in response to a variety of stimuli.

  • 2.22

    The student will collaborate to develop ideas for group or individual performance.

  • 2.32

    The student will compare and contrast elements of dance in dance works using dance terms.

  • 2.42

    The student will identify and discuss a variety of responses to dance works.

  • 2.52

    The student will identify and apply appropriate audience etiquette for a variety of dance settings.

  • 2.62

    The student will identify ways that dance is part of customs and traditions of various cultures.

  • 2.72

    The student will identify dance experiences in the community and Commonwealth.

  • 2.82

    The student will explore sources for dance research.

  • 2.92

    The student will identify careers and professional skills in dance including but not limited to dancers, choreographers, and teaching artists.

  • 2.102

    The student will explore technology used in dance.

  • 2.112

    The student will identify skills and concepts learned in dance that relate to concepts learned in other content areas.

  • 2.122

    The student will describe skills and concepts of body in dance activities and performance, including: Parts of the body. The use of the body to create shapes.

  • 2.132

    The student will describe skills and concepts of action in dance activities and performance, including: Locomotor movements. Non-locomotor movements.

  • 2.142

    The student will describe skills and concepts of space in dance activities and performance, including: Personal space. General space. Size. Levels. Stage directions/place.

  • 2.152

    The student will describe skills and concepts of time in dance activities and performance, including: Tempos. Rhythms.

  • 2.162

    The student will describe skills and concepts of energy in dance activities and performance, including: Movement flow. Weight.

  • 2.172

    The student will identify safety procedures for dance rehearsal and performance.

  • 2.182

    The student will explore and practice styles of dance including but not limited to ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and world dances.

  • 3.13

    The student will improvise movement sequences that have a beginning, middle, and end.

  • 3.23

    The student will revise dance works based on peer and teacher feedback.

  • 3.33

    The student will describe ways that elements of dance communicate meaning in dance works.

  • 3.43

    The student will explain personal responses to dance works.

  • 3.53

    The student will identify and demonstrate active listening in dance activities and performances.

  • 3.63

    The student will explore how dance is influenced by history and culture.

  • 3.73

    The student will describe reasons that dance has value to individuals and communities.

  • 3.83

    The student will discuss appropriate use of the Internet for inquiry and exploration of dance topics.

  • 3.93

    The student will investigate a variety of dance careers.

  • 3.103

    The student will investigate and explain how technology and media are used in dance performance and production.

  • 3.113

    The student will explain how dance incorporates skills and concepts learned in other content areas.

  • 3.123

    The student will explore and apply skills and concepts of body in dance activities and performance, including: Parts of the body. The use of the body to create shapes. Body systems.

  • 3.133

    The student will explore and apply skills and concepts of action in dance activities and performance, including: Locomotor movements. Non-locomotor movements.

  • 3.143

    The student will explore and apply skills and concepts of space in dance activities and performance, including: Personal space. General space. Size. Levels. Stage directions/place. Pathways. Directions.

  • 3.153

    The student will explore and apply skills and concepts of time in dance activities and performance, including: Tempos. Rhythms. Timing relationships (e.g., before, after, unison).

  • 3.163

    The student will describe skills and concepts of energy in dance activities and performance, including: Movement flow. Weight. Quality.

  • 3.173

    The student will explain safety procedures in dance rehearsal and performance.

  • 3.183

    The student will identify areas of the stage and compare and contrast the use of space in a variety of dance styles.

  • 4.14

    The student will improvise sequences that have a beginning, middle, and end in response to a variety of prompts.

  • 4.24

    The student will identify and discuss components of creative processes for dance.

  • 4.34

    The student will explain how elements of dance communicate meaning in dance works.

  • 4.44

    The student will examine how personal beliefs and experiences influence responses to dance works.

  • 4.54

    The student will identify and apply skills needed to effectively work in small groups and with a partner in rehearsal and performance.

  • 4.64

    The student will compare and contrast dance works from a variety of historical periods.

  • 4.74

    The student will examine and explain how dance has value in one�s own community.

  • 4.84

    The student will describe and practice citing original sources in dance research and activities.

  • 4.94

    The student will identify skills learned in dance that connect to a variety of career options.

  • 4.104

    The student will explore innovative ways to use current and emerging technologies in dance performance and production.

  • 4.114

    The student will explore how dance skills can be used in the development of solutions to real-world problems.

  • 4.124

    The student will explain and apply skills and concepts of body in dance activities and performance, including: Parts of the body. The use of the body to create shapes. Body systems. Body patterns.

  • 4.134

    The student will explain and apply skills and concepts of action in dance activities and performance, including: Locomotor movements. Non-locomotor movements.

  • 4.144

    The student will explain and apply skills and concepts of space in dance activities and performance, including: Personal space. General space. Negative space. Size. Levels. Stage directions/place. Pathways. Directions.

  • 4.154

    The student will describe skills and concepts of time in dance activities and performance, including: Tempos. Rhythms. Timing relationships (e.g., before, after, unison).

  • 4.164

    The student will describe skills and concepts of energy in dance activities and performance. Movement flow. Weight. Quality.

  • 4.174

    The student will explain safety procedures in dance rehearsal and performance.

  • 4.184

    The student will explore dance actions and choices in various dance styles.

  • 5.15

    The student will create a movement sequence that demonstrates creative thinking.

  • 5.25

    The student will explain the role of the creative process in developing a movement sequence.

  • 5.35

    The student will evaluate a performance using appropriate dance terms.

  • 5.45

    The student will explain personal preferences for dance works.

  • 5.55

    The student will demonstrate and explain the use of active listening and appropriate dance etiquette in dance activities.

  • 5.65

    The student will identify cultural influences on dance works.

  • 5.75

    The student will explain ways that dance artists contribute to society and communities.

  • 5.85

    The student will define intellectual property as it relates to dance.

  • 5.95

    The student will identify local dance organizations, career opportunities, and training programs.

  • 5.105

    The student will investigate ways that technology influences how dance experiences are shared.

  • 5.115

    The student will explore authentic opportunities for using dance skills to develop solutions to a real-world problem.

  • 5.125

    The student will evaluate skills and concepts of body in dance activities and performance, including: Parts of the body. The use of the body to create shapes. Body systems. Body patterns. Body initiation points.

  • 5.135

    The student will evaluate skills and concepts of action in dance activities and performance, including: Locomotor movements. Non-locomotor movements.

  • 5.145

    The student will evaluate skills and concepts of space in dance activities and performance, including: Personal space. General space. Negative space. Size. Levels. Stage directions/place. Pathways. Directions. Orientations/facings. Relationships.

  • 5.155

    The student will evaluate skills and concepts of time in dance activities and performance, including: Tempos. Rhythms. Timing relationships (e.g., before, after, unison).

  • 5.165

    The student will evaluate skills and concepts of energy in dance activities and performance, including: Movement flow. Weight. Quality.

  • 5.175

    The student will apply safety procedures in dance spaces.

  • 5.185

    The student will demonstrate stylistic actions and choices in the creation and performance of movement phrases in various spaces.

  • 6.16

    The student will develop personal movement sequences using improvisational skills.

  • 6.26

    The student will apply a creative process to develop dance works. Develop questions for personal inquiry of dance. Collaborate to develop ideas and solutions for dance.

  • 6.36

    The student will analyze, interpret, and evaluate dance works. Describe personal work and the work of others in regard to technique, choreography, style, composition, and performance using dance vocabulary. Develop and apply criteria to evaluate personal work and the work of others using dance vocabulary.

  • 6.46

    The student will describe how dance can evoke sensory, emotional, and intellectual responses.

  • 6.56

    The student will identify appropriate performer and audience etiquette for a variety of settings or dance experiences.

  • 6.66

    The student will explore historical and cultural influences of dance. Identify similarities and differences in dance styles from various historical periods. Compare and contrast observable elements (e.g., body, action, space, time, energy) that characterize the dance arts of various cultures.

  • 6.76

    The student will identify and explore the functions of dance, including the use of dance as a form of expression, communication, ceremony, and entertainment.

  • 6.86

    The student will describe the concept of copyright and relate it to dance.

  • 6.96

    The student will identify various dance professions.

  • 6.106

    The student will identify and explore innovations in dance.

  • 6.116

    The student will analyze characteristics of dance that are related to music, theatre, and visual arts.

  • 6.126

    The student will identify and apply best practices for dance safety and injury prevention, including the following: Safety procedures in all dance settings and facilities. Fundamental training practices (e.g., warm-up, cool-down, safe stretching techniques). Performance practices that promote safe technique for injury prevention. Nutrition and hydration. Appropriate dance attire.

  • 6.136

    The student will identify and practice elements of dance in short choreographic sequences, including but not limited to body, energy, action, space, and time.

  • 6.146

    The student will identify movement skills and kinesthetic awareness. Correct alignment while performing axial movements, including bending, twisting, swinging, and stretching. Correct alignment while performing basic locomotor sequences, including walking, running, hopping, jumping, leaping, galloping, skipping, and sliding. Dance technique skills, including but not limited to, alignment, endurance, strength, range of motion, coordination, and balance.

  • 6.156

    The student will identify movement techniques of a variety of dance styles.

  • 6.166

    The student will identify performance skills, including but not limited to, dynamics, rhythmic acuity, and musicality.

  • 6.176

    The student will identify and explore various production activities, including but not limited to publicity, running crew, costume crew, and strike.

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