Dance Syllabus

Name ____________________________

Ranchview High School

Dance Department

Dance I-IV Course Syllabus

Instructor: Ms. White

Course Overview

Dance I, II, III is designed to promote and enhance student awareness and appreciation of dance as a performing art. Students will develop a personal, physical, kinesthetic, social, and historical understanding about dance. Students will use intellect, artistic expression, and technique in order to produce and reproduce various styles of dance. The course will include dance performance in ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and social dance. In addition to dance performance students will be expected to attain knowledge of dance history, composition, and choreography. All students enrolled in this course will be expected to participate/ perform in the informal and formal dance concert.

Dance Supply List / Dress Policy

All students will need the following items for this course: (due August 16,2006)

1 3- prong folder with pockets

1 pkg. blue/ black ink pens, 1 pkg. #2 pencils, 1 pkg. Map pencils

1 pkg. college ruled notebook paper

black pairs of jogging/sweat pants/ dance pants

white or black leotards/ dance tops/ or t-shirts

any color sports bra/ athletic bra

optional (black jazz shoes)

Soap, deodorant, and towel need for hygiene purposes

Dance attire may be purchased at Target, Walmart, Dallas Dancewear, Sandy’s Shoes, or any local dance store.

Dance Studio Guidelines and Expectations

Be respectful to Ms. White, all faculty and staff, and classmates at all times.

Be on time and dressed out in the appropriate attire (NO JEWELRY).

Be seated, and working on the bell ringer (3 minute rule).

Be positive about your learning experience and encourage other classmates when they are struggling.

Be ready to participate in class everyday:

Place all personal belongings in your dance locker

Remove your street shoes before the start of class

Leave all food, gum, and drinks outside the dance studio

Please leave the dance room and restrooms free of trash and debris

** Reminder you would not want to dress in an unclean room**

Classroom doors and other affixed items may only be adjusted by the instructor.

Students are not to enter the dance office without permission

Students are not allowed to adjust any part of the BFI cart or sound system

Any student unable to physically perform in class due to illness or injury must provide a written note from home and or nurse. You must complete the written notes for class in addition to completing a one page written report on any dance article from Dance Magazine.

All injuries must be supported with doctor’s written notification and release form

Students will be given a 3 minute grace period before and after class.

Learning Choices:

If any of the above guidelines and expectations are not met the following actions will occur:

Verbal, written, and conference with student/ phone call home

Parent /guardian/administrator/ teacher/ student conference

Referral/ removal from class by administrator

Attendance Policy:

All students who are absent must bring an admit card/ note from parent. If you are absent you must complete 1 page written summary make-up assignment about a current event relating to dance. You may choose a current event from the newspaper or website article from a suggested dance website. The assignment must be submitted no later than the week in which the absence occurs. Students must be present throughout the entire class period in order to receive participation credit for the day. Perfect attendance will be rewarded at the end of the semester.

Students must adhere to the school-wide attendance policy. SEE THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT/ HANDBOOK.

Grading Policy:

Performance Based: 50% 20 points per day participation

(written included) (-5 points) failure to make corrections

(-15 points) talking during instruction

Tests & Projects 40% (-10 points) poor performance in class

(-10 points) failure to wear dance attire

Homework/ Notebook 10%

A Word From Ms. White

I look forward to working with you this school year. Remember to make the most of your learning experiences and learning opportunities in class as well as out of class. My teaching philosophy is, “You are the Author of Your Own Life Story”, therefore, you are in control of each page that you read and write. Once you complete my class you will have completed another chapter in your book. Make your life story a positive one and we can enjoy the learning experience together.

Ranchview High School

Dance I,II, III Contract

I___________________________ on this day ________ ____________ understand that I am responsible for my learning experience in dance class for the 2006-2007 school year. I understand that my responsibilities include dressing out daily, and participating 100% each day. I understand that if I do not dress out, participate,perform in class each day, perform for the informal dance concert in November 17th, and for the formal concert in April 28^th, my overall grade will be lowered as a result of my actions. I agree that I have read and understand the context of the grading policy for this course as described below.

Performance Based: 50% 20 points per day participation

(written included) (-5 points) failure to make corrections

(-15 points) talking during instruction

Tests & Projects 40% (-10 points) poor performance in class

(-10 points) failure to wear dance attire

Homework/ Notebook 10%

I ________________ agree to abide by the dance class guidelines and expectations for the course as stated in the syllabus and below.

Be respectful to Ms. White, all faculty and staff, and classmates at all times.

Be on time and dressed out in the appropriate attire (NO JEWELRY).

Be seated, and working on the bell ringer (3 minute rule).

Be positive about your learning experience and encourage other classmates when they are struggling.

Be ready to participate in class everyday:

Place all personal belongings in your dance locker

Remove your street shoes before the start of class

Leave all food, gum, and drinks outside the dance studio

Please leave the dance room and restrooms free of trash and debris

** Reminder you would not want to dress in an unclean room**

Classroom doors and other affixed items may only be adjusted by the instructor.

Students are not to enter the dance office without permission

Students are not allowed to adjust any part of the BFI cart or sound system

All injuries must be supported with doctor’s written notification and release form

Students will be given a 3 minute grace period before and after class.

class=Section2>

I ________________________ understand that this is a binding contract between myself and the Ranchview High School Dance Department. This contract may be updated and used for future reference. I understand that by not upholding my responsibilities as a dancer and student of the class, I am subject to any consequences that may occur within reason.

Tentative Outline of the Course

Week #	Date(s)	Unit	Correlation
1	8/15-8/20	Basics of Movement	Kinesthetic/ Science
2	8/22-8/26	Basics of Movement	English/ Writing
3	8/29-9/2	Basics of Movement	Music/ Math
4	9/6-9/9	Modern Movement Technique	Terminology/ History/ Pioneers
5	9/12-9/16	Modern Movement Technique	Research/ Writing Composition
6	9/19-9/23	Modern Movement Technique	Composition/ Choreography /Math
7	9/26-9/30	Jazz Movement Technique	Terminology
8	10/3-10/7	Jazz Movement Technique	History/ Pioneers
9	10/10-10/14	Jazz Movement Technique	Movement Studies Music Composition
10	10/17-10/21	Ballet Movement Technique	History/ Terminology
11	10/24-10/28	Ballet Movement Technique	Terminology/ Technique
12	10/31-11/4	Ballet Movement Technique	Technique/ Science
13	11/7-11/11	Dance Composition	Music Composition Math
14	11/14-11/18	Dance Composition	Music Composition Math
15	11/17/05	FALL DANCE CONCERT	Performance
16	11/21-11/25	SCHOOL HOLIDAY	OFF
17	11/28-12/2	Tap Dance Technique	History/ Pioneers
18	12/5-12/9	Tap Dance Technique	Rhythm / Math
19	12/12-12/16	Review and Exams	Mid-Term Exam