Canyon Ridge Dance Department
Course Syllabus: 7th/8th Grade – Dance II/III
Teacher: Stephanie Ferguson
Email: Stephanie.Ferguson@leanderisd.org
Course Description: Students will explore the fundamentals in ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz, precision dance, hip hop and choreography. Students will become familiar with each specific technique and its vocabulary, history and choreography.
Student Expectations:
1. Students are required to dress out for dance class.
2. It is the student’s responsibility to get make-up assignments from the instructor when absent.
3. Follow classroom rules: be prepared, be on time and be positive.
4. If a student is injured in some way, he or she must present a note from a parent or physician in order to be excused from participating in physical activities. A parent note must be presented each day the student is unable to participate. After three parent notes, the student will be required to present a note from a physician to excuse him or her from physical activities. Students who are unable to physically participate will be required to read a dance article and write a one page report. All reports are due at the end of the class period.
5. Backpacks will be stored in the dance studio.
6. No gum, food or drinks allowed in the studio. Only water.
7. No jewelry is allowed except for stud earrings.
8. Hair should be pulled back away from the face.
9. All cell phones must be on silent mode and must stay inside the student’s backpack. Cell phones are not allowed inside the locker room or bathrooms.
Supplies:
Solid black t-shirt or leotard
Black cotton stretch pants (long or short)
Jazz shoes are recommended but not required. Socks or bare feet are fine.
Combination lock (optional) - Students may either bring their dance clothes in a small grocery bag inside their backpack each day or they may request a locker to store their items in. Students must provide their own combination locks.
Grading Policy:
50% - Dress Out/Participation
30% - Skills Tests & Written Tests
20% - Daily Assignments
Dress Out/Participation:
Students are expected to dress out properly and participate every day, unless otherwise directed. Clothing worn to school is not considered dressing out. Any student who fails to dress out or participate in class activities will lose points towards his or her dress out/participation grade. Points will be deducted for the following:
-5 missing item - per piece/per day
-5 off task/horseplay
-10 not dressing out (unexcused)
-10 not participating
Class Procedures:
When the tardy bell rings, students are expected to be seated in their assigned attendance line. Students will have five minutes at the beginning and end of class to change. Students will change inside the locker room.
Skills tests and written tests:
At the end of each unit, students will learn and perform a routine. Each dancer will receive an assessment based on body alignment, memory, technique and overall performance. All written tests will be open notes.
Daily Assignments:
Most daily assignments are due at the end of the class period. Any homework assignments should be turned in by the designated due date.