Southern Alamance High School Dance Syllabus
Daily Behaviors and Expectations
Students shall demonstrate kindness and respect for other classmates and instructor at all times. There will be no teasing, poking fun, harassment, or other rude behavior. We are all here to learn, and we will make mistakes.
Absolutely no food, drink, or chewing gum.
Students should use the restroom before or after class.
Students should obey all class rules concerning the dressing room and other school policies at all times.
Students will maintain correct discipline while in class and dressing room.
All students should practice good personal hygiene at all times.
DANCE CLASS RULES
BE ON TIME TO CLASS
DRESS OUT EVERYDAY IN A TIMELY MANNER
PARTICIPATE EVERYDAY TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY
TAKE PRIDE IN YOURSELF
RESPECT OTHERS
NO CELL PHONES UNLESS THEY ARE BEING USED FOR AN ASSIGNMENT
*FOLLOW ALL ABSS AND SAHS POLICIES AT ALL TIMES.
Dress and Participation
Students should wear sweatpants, thick leggings, or jazz/yoga pants. If you wear shorts, you must have leggings or tights under them. This is to avoid any exposure of undergarments. T-shirts should also be worn. You may wear leotards and tights if you choose; the clothing worn for class must be different than what was worn to school. No jewelry is permitted. Hair must be pulled up out of your face.
All Students will dress and participate every day. A doctor’s note only will excuse a student. If a student is not feeling well, he/she will dress and participate as much as possible. If you choose not to participate and did not bring a doctor’s note, you will receive a zero for your daily participation grade. If you are well enough to attend school, you are well enough to dress out.
In addition, if you do not participate (with a doctor’s note) you will complete a written assignment to earn a grade. This work must be turned in at the end of class in order to receive credit. No Exceptions.
Attire for Advanced Classes:
Intermediate, proficient, and advanced students need to dress in more appropriate dance attire. Therefore, students are required to wear a leotard and tights/leggings for class. Dance Company members also need to purchase nude color tights for performances. I would suggest getting at least two leotards since we have class every day. Leotards can be any style in black as long as it fits correctly with no problems involving the fit of the chest area. Many leotard styles are designed to be worn with bras.
Leotards, tights, and leggings can be purchased from the following vendors:
Discount Dance Supply at discountdance.com/1-800-328-7107
Dance Wear Solutions at www.dancewearsolutions.com
Carolina Dancewear www.carolinadancewear.com
1627 New Garden Road, Greensboro - (336) 856-9983
Grading Details
50% Daily Participation
25% Projects
15% Journals and Homework
10% Tests
Daily Participation Grades:
Each student has the opportunity to earn 20 participation points per day. These points are earned by properly dressing out and participating 100%. You can lose points by not dressing out, not participating fully, and not following rules and policies. Complete Make-Up Work Assignments to earn points for your weekly grade if you are absent.
Daily Participation Grading Details:
-5 points- Food, drink, gum, jewelry, hair, socks
-10 points- Failure to dress out, off task, phone/electronics
-15 points- rude behavior, disrespect of classmates/teacher/self,
disruption of class, not participating to fullest potential
-20 points- not participating, continuously not following school rules
*will result in a discipline referral
Journals and Online Work:
Most written work will be completed on Canvas. Students will also need paper and pencil at times. Dance journals are for reflection, evaluation, and communication.
Projects:
Projects will be assigned throughout the semester. Many will be group choreography projects that help dancers learn new concepts. You will have a major research-based project at some point in the semester. Rubrics will be used as a form of assessment for all major projects.
Tests:
Tests will be given throughout the semester on vocabulary and other concepts. Pop tests/quizzes may also be given.
Performance:
Students will be required to perform throughout the semester. Performances will be announced at least two weeks in advance. Excused absences will be made up by the completion of written work or a showing after school. Unexcused absences will not be allowed to be made up and will result in a zero. Keep in mind that performances count as a major project and test grades.
ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM IN THE END OF SEMESTER CONCERT. THE CONCERT IS SCHEDULED ON:
DRESS REHEARSAL- __________________________________________
CONCERT- __________________________________________________
Dates will be announced within the first few weeks of the semester.
Make-Up Work:
Students are responsible for making up work missed when they are absent. They should schedule a time with the teacher to make-up tests and projects and keep their notebooks/journals updated. In addition, students must complete one make-up work assignment per day they are absent to earn their participation grade. These assignments are listed on the school website and hard copies are given out on the first day of class. All make-up assignments must be turned in within two weeks after your absence to receive full credit. Make-up work also applies to ISS/OSS.
Learning Goals
The SAHS Dance Department follows guidelines from the Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Essential Standards. We focus on dance technique, vocabulary, dance history, choreographic principles, exploration, creating, evaluating, performance, self-reflection, assessments, and dance as an art form.
North Carolina Essential Standards at a glance:
Use choreographic principles, structures, and processes to create dances that communicate ideas, experiences, feelings, and images.
Understand how to use performance values (kinesthetic awareness, concentration, focus, and etiquette) to enhance dance performance.
Understand how to use movement skills in dance.
Use a variety of thinking skills to analyze and evaluate dance.
Understand cultural, historical, and interdisciplinary connections with dance.
Dance Genres
All dance classes at SAHS are focused on modern and contemporary dance because the curriculum is based on this style for creativity purposes. At some point in the semester, you will learn other dance styles and techniques which may include jazz, ballet, hip hop and a variety of cultural dances.
What is Modern Dance?
“It begins as a choice to move away from the rules, structures, and ideas of the past, those belonging to other ages and cultures of people, and to move towards a more individually creative theory of dance. John Martin, dance historian has described modern dance as a “point of view” being different for every decade, every country, every human who gives birth to it. The new dancers of the turn of the century chose to release the past, tune in to the present, and totally redefine the idea of what dance is.” (Cheney 1989, Basic Concepts in Modern Dance)
Supplies Needed for Class
1. Charged Computer for Canvas access
2. Paper and Pencil
2. Lock for dressing room lockers (optional)
3. Dress out clothes
Black Leotard and Black Leggings (not required for beginners)
Teacher Information
Please contact me at any point if you have any questions or concerns. My web page also has essential documents that students will need and can refer to as the semester progresses.
Mrs. Amber Peeden
amber_peeden@abss.k12.nc.us
(336) 570-6400
Parental Permission Form and Student/Parent Contracts
As the dance instructor at Southern Alamance High School, I feel it is imperative that your son/daughter receives ultimate satisfaction from the dance program. In order to achieve this goal, I ask you, as parents, to cooperate and endorse the activities provided in the program. By answering the following questions, you will enable me to plan more efficiently and thus develop and provide a complete program for your student.
Are there any physical limitations that I, as your student’s teacher, need to know? These may include asthma, allergic reactions, back problems, etc.
Yes
No
If yes, please list and explain in detail (Use the back of this sheet if needed). This information will be kept confidential.
Please note: These limitations do not excuse your student from daily participation.
I have read all of the policies and expectations concerning dance class. I understand that my grade will reflect my classwork, assignments, performances, test, efforts, and attitude. I will observe and uphold these policies and act in a responsible way.
Student Name (print) ___________________________________________________
Student Signature________________________________________________________
I have read all of the policies and expectations concerning my student’s dance class. I accept them and expect my student to observe and uphold the policies and act in a responsible way.
Parent/Guardian Name (print) ___________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature_______________________________________________
Email_________________________________________________________________
Phone Number(s)_______________________________________________________