Division:  Middle School

Department: Fine and Performing Arts:  Dance

Course Title/Code:  Modern Dance                  ARTDA400

(7^th and 8^th grade, five days/week, year long)

Course Description:   This course meets five days a week and has four objectives: to teach modern dance technique and skills; to allow students the opportunity to explore and discover their personal movement vocabulary through improvisation; to give students the experience of performing their dances for audiences; and, to develop and nurture self confidence and a sense of body awareness. There are two formal dance concerts each year when students perform and various informal performance opportunities. 

Goals 

The goal of this class is to continue to explore the elements introduced to students in the sixth grade.  Students will study dance as a performing art and as a way of communication. Included in this study will be a history of modern dance in the western world and how different cultures have influenced this art form. 

Skills      

•    Practice of the movement of modern dance
• Study of anatomy to help students understand how movement is initiated
• Study of movement invention
• Study of principles of choreography
• Develop techniques for performance

Activities        

• Regular practice of dance technical skills
• Studying the history of modern dance by learning about the people who began the movement
• Dancing in the styles of modern dance
• Composition projects designed to explore the creative process
• Creation of a class dance to be performed in the dance concert
• Exercises designed to develop awareness of the use of space and the dynamics and qualities of movement
• Journal writing assignments directly related to composition and choreography work
• Students perform their work in class

Assessment        

•  Students are given a daily grade based on participation and work in class
• Students are graded on their composition work – points are assigned to components of the work
• Students will have at least one practical test each trimester to evaluate their progress in technical skills and movement memory
• Students are graded on their progress in performance and composition
• Student work is videotaped as a record of the student’s progress and as a tool for evaluation

Students will be expected to purchase the designated performance costume for dance concerts at an estimated price of  $65.00 per year. 

Resources: printed, internet & intranet sites, computer programs  : Books: “Basic Concepts in Modern Dance” by Gay Cheney, “ The Performer’s Guide to the Collaborative Process” by Sheila Kerrigan, “Prime Movers” by Joseph Mazo