What Do We Learn in Pre-K & TK Dance?

1 Generate and Conceptualize Artistic Ideas and Work

Where do choreographers get ideas for dances?

• Respond in movement to a variety of sensory stimuli (e.g., music/sound, visual, tactile).

• Find a different way to do several basic locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

2 Organize and Develop Artistic Ideas and Work

What influences choice-making in creating choreography?

• Improvise dance that starts and stops on cue.

• Engage in dance experiences moving alone or with a partner

3 Refine and Complete Artistic Work

How do choreographers use self-reflection, feedback from others, and documentation to improve the quality of their work?

• Respond to suggestions for changing movement through guided improvisational experiences.

In PreK and TK this might look like:

• Dancing with scarves, ribbons, or other props

• Dancing to different types of music

• Skipping, galloping, tip-toeing, running, etc.

• Dancing along different imaginary pathways

• Freeze Dance

• Dancing alone and with a partner

4 Select, Analyze, and Interpret Artistic Work for Presentation How do dancers work with space, time, and energy to communicate artistic expression?

• Identify and demonstrate directions for moving the body in general space (e.g., forward, backwards, sideways, up, down, and turning) and finding and returning to a place in space.

• Identify speed of movement as fast or slow. Move to varied rhythmic sounds at different tempi.

• Move with opposing dynamics

5 Develop and Refine Artistic Techniques and Work for Presentation What must a dancer do to prepare the mind and body for artistic expression?

• Demonstrate basic full body locomotor, nonlocomotor movement, and body patterning with spatial relationships

• Move in general space and start and stop on cue while maintaining personal space.

• Identify and move body parts and repeat movements upon request.

6 Convey Meaning Through the Presentation of Artistic Work How does a dancer heighten artistry in a public performance?

• Dance for others in a designated area or space.

• Use a prop as part of a dance.

In PreK and TK this might look like:

• Making movements that are opposites (big/small, high/low, fast/slow, etc.)

• Dancing in different directions

• Dancing to fast and slow music

• Dancing without bumping into anyone or anything (in personal space)

• Repeat a dance move

• Perform a dance for others

• Understand the difference between performance space and audience space

• Dance with a prop (like a scarf, ribbon, etc.)

8 Interpret Intent and Meaning in Artistic Work How is dance interpreted?

• Observe a movement and share impressions.

9 Apply Criteria to Evaluate Artistic Work What criteria are used to evaluate dance?

• Find a movement in a dance that was fun to watch. Repeat it and explain why it is fun to watch and do.

7 Perceive and Analyze Artistic Work How is a dance understood?

• Identify a movement in a dance by repeating it.

• Demonstrate an observed or performed dance movement.

In PreK and TK this might look like:

• Watching someone else dance and commenting on it (“I noticed…” or “I saw…”)

• Watching someone else dance and sharing a movement that you liked from what you saw.

11 Relate Artistic Ideas and Works with Societal, Cultural, and Historical Context to Deepen Understanding

How does knowing about societal, cultural, historical, and community experiences expand dance literacy?

• Show a dance movement experienced at home or elsewhere

10 Synthesize and Relate Knowledge and Personal Experiences to Make Art How does dance deepen our understanding of ourselves, other knowledge, and events around us?

• Recognize an emotion expressed in dance movement that is watched or performed.

• Observe a dance work. Identify and imitate a movement from the dance, and ask a question about the dance.

In PreK and TK this might look like:

• Sharing a family member’s favorite dance or a dance that your family does together

• Identify emotions in a dance that you watch. Show specific emotions in your own dances

• Watching a dance and asking questions.