Technique & Theory 1B/A

COURSE DESCRIPTION

These classes are an intensive studies of ballet, jazz, and modern (Horton) techniques of dance. Excellence and improvement in technique within these styles will be emphasized, along with the development of performance quality and ability. The class will also include lessons on dance history and dance vocabulary, as well as expanding creativity with lessons in improvisation and composition. Injury prevention, nutrition and wellness for dancers will also be addressed during the course.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

During the course students will develop body awareness through proper alignment and technique in relation to all styles of dance. Students will identify and build further in their dance vocabulary, technique, composition and performance skills. Through performance, students will gain a deeper understanding of their own movement quality, as well as how to objectively view other dance performances. Each student is also required to have a composition notebook for the class (not to be shared with other subjects), which will be left in the classroom. Demonstration of improvement in technique and performance will be evaluated within the classroom and during performances.

CLASS PROCEDURES

Students are expected to dress out for class and in their assigned spots and ready for warm-ups 5 minutes after the class bell sounds. All cell phones must be placed in the appropriate hanging slot located in every studio at the top of class and set on silent or off.

ATTENDANCE

Students are required to participate in class on a daily basis. Non-Participation or “sitting out” is not taken lightly.

Dance Department Make-up Sheet

If a student is absent, they have one week to complete a standard dance department makeup article sheet. These can be found in all dance classrooms. The review sheet and a copy/link to the article read or video watched, must be submitted to the teacher within the week in order to receive 75% of their formative daily participation points back only.

Dance Department Non-Participation Sheet

Students that are present and do not participate due to illness may make up 50% of Formative points by completing a review sheet on a provided dance text book if and only if they have a doctor’s note, or a note from a parent (limit one parent note per quarter). (Please note that cramps, tiredness, headaches; unfinished homework, etc. are not excuses.) Students who sit out without a note will not be able to make up their formative points. Long-term sit outs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. **In the event of a long-term illness please email your teachers for specific instructions.

Late Work Policy: No credit will be given for any late work turned in after the due date.

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION IS UPLOADED DAILY TO INFINITE CAMPUS.

GRADING

1. All grades will be distributed between two assessment buckets: formative and summative. Weighted percentages will be as follows:

30% Formative and 70% Summative

· Formative grades are the daily (20) participation points. 30%

· Summative grades are broken into three categories totaling the 70%:

Summative 1 - Performances and Rehearsals = 25%

Summative 2 - Compositions, Technique evaluations and Combination exams = 30%

Summative 3 - Written Work = 15% (SLG, journals, blogs, peer reviews)

2. Semester Final Exam is 20% of the semester grade.

3. Summative Assessments/Tests:

a) Summative 1 Performance points may be made up through a research paper as described in the handbook.

b) Summative 2 points may be made up to 75% by learning the material, contacting the teacher, and arranging a showing.

c) Summative 3 points may be made up to 75% if turned in within 3 days of the due date.

d) Long–term summative projects, where the teacher has provided opportunities for multiple formative assessments and feedback before a final due date, are void of this retake policy.

4. When assigning a grade of D or F to any quarter/semester report card, the teacher will contact the parent or guardian within three days after the distribution of progress reports. Teachers will also contact parents when a student maintains a grade of F or D on several assignments.

DRESS REQUIREMENTS

Proper dress attire is required each day. Points will be lost for inappropriate attire. No baggie T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts or shredded tights will be accepted in class. During the colder months a fitted warm-up top may be worn during the warm-up of the class, but students must receive permission from teacher at the start of class.