Course Overview:

Beginning Dance is a PE-based course that fulfills either P.E. or VAPA credit, open to students with no previous dance experience. Students are expected to actively participate in daily movement, fitness, conditioning, technique, and dance activities. Students develop physical fitness, coordination, kinesthetic awareness, creativity, and confidence while exploring foundational dance technique, choreography, and various dance styles. The course emphasizes active participation, personal growth, teamwork, and developing lifelong healthy movement habits.

Learning Objectives: Physical Fitness & Wellness: Develop strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, coordination, and healthy movement habits. Kinesthetic Awareness: Develop body awareness, alignment, coordination, spatial awareness, and control through full-body movement and dance technique. Dance Knowledge: Understand foundational dance terminology, elements of dance, dance history, and various dance styles. Choreographic Skills: Explore creative movement and develop original choreography using basic choreographic devices and strategies. Teamwork & Communication: Demonstrate collaboration, respect, communication, and responsibility while working with peers. Professionalism: Demonstrate appropriate class etiquette, preparedness, focus, participation, and respect for the learning environment. Personal Integration: Recognize the physical, mental, and creative benefits of dance and identify ways to incorporate physical activity and movement into daily life.

To progress to the next level, students must pass the course with a B or higher and fulifll required skill evaluation.