I feel as though dance teacher’s have one of the most difficult positions on campus. Classes are often double the standard classroom size, students often only want the credit, dance teacher’s are often the only dance/drill directorwith a plethora of responsibilities, and are expected to create and facilitate lessons which are multi-discipline and utilize higher level thinking skills. All of this without even having a guideline or textbook to assist in age and levelappropriate material. Well, there are a few dance textbooks available for dance teachers and school districts to purchase, but it is difficult to know if the activities are level appropriate, interesting, and fun for both the studentand teacher.

The other stress is having lots of information that has been accumulated from college and/or other dance directors,but not knowing how to organize it into lesson plans. I have tried many methods of organizing my lesson plans andhave finally come up with some very good lessons that I have fun teaching and the students of all levels and abilitieshave fun learning.

Below you will find an outline for organizing your dance curriculum for the year. There is a geneal overview, then a curriculum mudule of the different units for each six-week period. Additionally, you will find useful resource documents for each unit at the end of the modules. Hopefully, this will compliment your current curriculum, or help you design a dance program.

Good luck and remember to have fun!!! You make a difference in the lives of kids everyday, which is to be commended!

9-12 DANCE UNITS

◆ Hip Hop / Aerobic Fitness◆ Jazz◆ Ballet / Lyrical◆ Curriculum Based Performance – Spring Fling◆ Cultural Dance◆ Creative Movement / Modern◆ Final Choreography Project

Similarities in Each Dance Unit✽ Movement: Warm-up and Technique✽ Written Work & Written Test✽ Choreography Project ✽ Skills Test – 1 to 3

Length of Each Unit◆ Hip Hop / Aerobic Fitness – 1st 6-weeks◆ Jazz – 2nd 6-weeks◆ Ballet / Lyrical– 3rd 6-weeks◆ Spring Fling Performance – 4th 6-weeks◆ Cultural Dance – 1st half of 5th 6-weeks ◆ Modern / Creative Movement – 2nd half of 6th 6-weeks◆ Choreography Project – 6th 6-weeks

Dance Curriculum Module– Making the Grade With Your Students

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by Kelli Woodruff, Director, Colleyville Heritage High School Panteras

Unit Outline:

I. Hip Hop / Aerobic Fitness Warm-up A. Fun / Funky Cardio

Combinations: Combine the following into various combinations. You could also move the combos forward & back or side-to side.

❖ Step dig R&L (move forward and back with elbow leading❖ Step together step dig (arms up, down to knees, up, clap)❖ Plié low second and close back parallel (use flat box arms or hands on knees / change the tempo to 2

pulses open and step close)❖ Slide ball change (move forward and back with a clap or punch arms side on slide & down on ball

change)❖ Kick ball change but with a tap to the side and low level❖ Grapevine with knee up and elbow to knee❖ Three step turn clap / Step 2nd and isolate shoulders RLR jump together❖ Tap R across front, R back, R front, R back / pas de bourrée RLR / kick ball change L

B. IsolationsCombinations:

❖ Head – tilt, look R&L, up & down, circle❖ Shoulders – up & down, forward & back, roll❖ Ribs – slow RL, quick RLR❖ Hips – R&L, figure 8

II. Toning & Proper Stretching A. Toning (legs, arms, abdominals)

Legs:❖ Plié 2nd pulses (Hamstrings) while lifting arms up and down (deltoids)❖ Turn to side and lunge down and up (quads) & curl the fist up to shoulders (bicep curls)❖ Parallel small 2nd Squats (gluteus maximus) down and up, arms can come up to shoulder level while

sitting back on heels, then recover❖ Elevé parallel & turned out (gastrocnemius)❖ Passé pulse parallel & turned out (Illiopsoas)❖ Kick backs – Lift one leg up parallel attitude and push back keeping knee bent (Hamstrings)

Arms:❖ Box with arms – close with forearms at face and open back up to box (pectoralis major)❖ Make a diamond with hands above head, pull elbows down to waist, return back up (biceps)❖ Flat box arms with palms to the floor, pull elbows back trying to touch and return to box (trapezius)❖ Lunge R leg front, back heel on the ground – put R hand on R knee, L elbow up and kick the L arm

back keeping the bicep parallel to the floor (tricep)❖ Push-ups (deltoid & more)❖ Crab push-up keeping the hips lifted and only bending the elbows (triceps)

Abdominals: ❖ Center, R arm up, L arm up, Both arms up, Arms behind head with feet up and crossed at ankles, feet

and legs perpendicular to the floor, feet flat, 3 pulses up and 1 down, 1 pulse up and 3 slow counts down, circle to the right with hands behind head then to L (rectus abdominus)

❖ Knees to the side – lift shoulders off, top leg lifts parallel to floor, top leg kicks out (External obliques)

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HI P HOP /AEROBIC F ITNESS UNIT

1st 6-weeks

B. Proper standing and floor stretchesStanding Stretches For Legs:

❖ Parallel Forward Flexion (Hamstrings)❖ Standing quad stretch with knees together, R hand to R foot (quadriceps)❖ Lunge with back heel on the floor (gastrocnemius)❖ Runner’s Stretch (iliopsoas) – continue with more stretches from the runner’s❖ Pretzel from 2nd position spiraling to the floor

Arm Stretches:❖ Cross R arm across body and pull with the L hand (bicep & deltoid)❖ Cross R arm behind and use L hand to pull back R arm (tricep)❖ Clasp hands in front of the shoulders, contract and reach arms forward, look down at the floor

(trapezius)❖ Clasp hands behind back and forward flexion allowing hands to hang to the ground (pectoralis major)

Abdominal Stretches:❖ Cobra – keep shoulders down (rectus abdominus)❖ Back sit-ups toning (latissimus dorsi)❖ Child’s pose stretch (latissimus dorsi)

Floor Stretches:❖ Ankle circles – 8X R, 8X L, 8X outside, 8X inside, Repeat 2-3 times, articulate through the ball,

point, ball, flex REPEAT, point & flex 8X❖ Second stretch❖ Parallel (pike) stretch❖ Butterfly stretch❖ “4” stretch on back (cross R ankle on top of the L knee, reach through and pull the L leg to chest),

developpé both legs – 1 to floor and 1 to ceiling, hold and stretch (hamstring)❖ Fans laying on the floor

III. Muscles and Bones Packet (Module 1, Section B) A. Module I, Section B “Muscles and Bones” – published by Elizabeth Gillaspy and Kelli WoodruffB. Written Test

IV. Hip Hop Choreography A. Teach a short dance phrase (6 8-count combo)B. Break students into groups of 4-6C. Have students choreograph one 8-count of hip hop movementD. Determine the order of the groupsE. Have each group teach their phrase to the other groupsF. Combine all the phrases together for the second half of the dance

V. Hip Hop Choreography Skills TestA. Memory, Timing, Hip Hop Technique, Effort / EnergyB. Group Choreography

***See Hip Hop Resource Document One***

VI. Muscles Skills TestA. Teacher performs a strengthening or stretching exercise and student determines which muscle is being used

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VII. Other Unit PossibilitiesA. Utilize aerobic fitness video for class warm-up and have students write down their favorite parts of the videoB. Students choreograph an aerobic dance sequence for a skills test. The “likes” from the videos can be

incorporated into the choreography.

Unit Outline:

I. Jazz Warm-Up and TechniqueA. Pre-Warm Up

❖ 2nd position – Upper body circle, roll down to floor, plié stretch, roll up❖ 2nd position – Lateral stretches with contraction and release❖ Flat back forward with contraction and release❖ Parallel – arms to 5th open and arch, roll down, elevé, tuck down, stretch, roll up

B. IsolationsCombinations: Create simple combinations of the following technique

❖ Head – tilt, look R&L, up & down, circle❖ Shoulders – up & down, forward & back, roll❖ Ribs – slow RL, quick RLR❖ Hips – R&L, figure 8

C. Center TechniqueD. Standing Stretches

❖ Running stretch sequenceE. Floor Toning

❖ Abdominals❖ Obliques❖ Foot circles

F. Floor Stretches❖ Second, butterfly, parallel, etc.

G. Technique❖ Pirouettes in the center:

Teach spotting – feet parallel and take little bourrées in place with focus heldKick ball change combo: kick ball change balance 4X, kick b/c _ turn to R 4X, kick b/c _ turns R 4X,

kick b/c 4 full pirouettes❖ Grand Battement Combo (Kicks) – step kick front, step kick side, step kick back, step dig (makes a

complete circle)❖ Chassés❖ Cross ball change, pas de bourrée❖ Tombé pas de bourrée tuck jump❖ Grand jeté combo – 2 chassés, 2 runs, 1 grand jeté

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Ja z z UNIT2nd 6-weeks

II. Written Work & Written Test - Research and Presentations on Jazz Dancer/ ChoreographerA. Place students in groups of 3-5B. Draw jazz dancers/choreographers (Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, Michael Bennett, Jerome Robbins,

Bob Fosse, Luigi, Debbie Allen, etc.)C. Library research 1-2 daysD. Visual presentations (poster/choreography)E. Oral Presentation

***See Jazz Resource Document One***

III. Jazz Technique Skills TestA. Pirouette CombinationB. Kick CombinationC. Jete Combination

***See Jazz Resource Document Two***

IV. Jazz Dance/ Choreography Skills TestA. Teach a short jazz combinationB. Break the class into groups of 4-6 studentsC. Each group has to choreograph 4 8-counts using the following in their choreography

❖ Levels – different levels occurring at the same time❖ Pick-up / cannon❖ A combination that uses mainly arm movements❖ Transition to another form without walking ❖ Create an interesting ending position

D. Skill Test (Memory, Timing, Body Placement, Energy/effort, & Group Choreography)***See Jazz Resource Document Three***

Unit Outline:

I. Ballet Workout (Derived from the NYC Ballet Workout Video)A. Warm-Up / Cardio – Begin in parallel first position

❖ 2 X Arm circles with contraction: Circle arms back 1-2, Contract 3-4, Arms to 5th 5-6, Open 2nd 7-8 ❖ 2X Side bends: R 1-2, Contract center 3, roll up 4, Repeat L❖ 4X Turn out and parallel with hands on hips❖ 4X Turn out and parallel with arms 2nd on turn out and 5th on parallel❖ Tendu to 2nd : 4X Lunge R and bend R with arms over head 1-2, return center arms second 3-4

Repeat RLRL❖ Tendu to 1st and turn parallel❖ Balancés – 4X parallel with hands on hips, 4X parallel with arms floating up to 4th arabesque, 4X

with foot crossing in front❖ Chassés – 4X plié 2nd close to 1st, 4X plié second with relevé 1st, 4X full chassé, 4X double time

chasses (Arms circle in 5th over head)

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B a l l e t UNIT3rd 6-weeks

B. Center Barre ❖ Pliés – 8X Demi plié with arms to demi second❖ Elevé – 8X with arms to 5th ❖ Grand Pliés 2nd – 4 times with ports de bras arms❖ Tendus 1st – En croix – Tendu, flex, tendu point, 2 tendus❖ Degagés 1st – En croix – 4 each position❖ Passé and coupe – coupe, passé passing, coupe back, close (RLRL traveling back then RLRL traveling

forward)❖ Rond de jambe – 4X slow on the floor R en dehor, R de dedans, repeat L❖ Arabesque Raises – 8X each leg, tendu back 1, lift leg off floor 2, higher 3, close 4 (Alternate legs)❖ Sauté 1st

plié, straighten, relevé, lower 4Xplié, relevé 4XSauté 1st 8X

❖ Sauté 2nd – repeat the sauté 1st combination in 2nd position❖ Sauté & Echappé Combination:

8 sautés 1st, 8 2nd, 4 1st, 4 2nd, 2 1st, 2 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 2nd C. Floor Stretches (laying on back with knees to chest and arms in)

❖ Take legs to the right and look L, hold, extend top leg and hold in R hand, stretch❖ “4” Stretch laying on back (cross R ankle on top of the L knee, reach through and pull the L leg to

chest), developpé both legs – 1 to floor and 1 to ceiling, hold and stretch (hamstring)D. Abdominals

❖ Lift up and down❖ Legs table to floor up and down❖ Table legs – legs to chest and lift up, extend legs 45 degree angle and lower head

E. Alignment***See Ballet Resource Document One***

II. Written Work & TestA. Ballet Posture – Origins***See Ballet Resource Document Two***

. B. Betty Ballerina – Current C. Ballet Vocabulary***See Ballet Resource Document Three***D. 5 Positions of Arms and FeetE. Ballet History***See Ballet Resource Document Four***

III. Ballet ChoreographyA. Students will create a ballet dance utilizing the dance technique

movements taught in the ballet warm-up***See Ballet Resource Document Five ***

IV. Ballet Skills TestA. Execution of each movement and choreography***See Ballet Resource Document Six ***

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V. Lyrical ChoreographyA. Find 10 pictures out of dance magazines of dancers performing a movementB. Find 2 pictures of a group of dancers in a poseC. Pick a piece of lyrical music and write down the lyrics of the chorus D. Create movements to the words of the song and incorporate all of the pictures into the dance (group pictures

are the beginning and end of the dance)E. Transitions – make smooth transitions between each pictureF. Past pictures on card stock in the order usedG. Make sure you are interpreting the music through movement

VI. Lyrical Skills TestA. Test memory, timing, choreography (pictures, interpretation, beginning and end, smooth transitions)***See Ballet Resource Document Seven ***

Unit Outline:

I. Students’ PerformanceA. Have students learn and rehearse a dance to perform at your Spring Show/Fling

II. 3 Test GradesA. One test grade is comprised of attendance at rehearsals -.100 for students who participate well in

practice and know choreographyB. The remaining two test grades are comprised of students performance at the show. Students who perform

will get 100’s; students who have an unexcused absence will get a “0”. Students with excused absences will perform the routine in front of their classmates for their evaluation.

C. Written Test – Performance Evaluation and Dance Critique***See Performance Unit Resource Document One ***

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Curr icu lum-BasedPerformance UNIT

4th 6-weeks

Unit Outline:

I. Guest Teacher A. Inviting a guest instructor that is a professional or has a passion in a particular genre of dance can be very interesting and inspirational for the students.

II. Group ProjectA. Put students in groups of 3-5B. Choose a countryC. ResearchD. Create a dance (skills test grade)E. Create a poster about the country (written test grade)F. Create a costumeG. Oral and performance presentation (written test grade)***See Culural Dance Unit Resource Document One***

Unit Outline:

I. Modern Improvisation & Modern TechniqueA. Improv Project

❖ Magazine Photo: shapes and space❖ Specified body parts traveling❖ Cultural Tale❖ Action Words❖ Follow commands: walk, swing, glide, roll (change timing)❖ Chair Game❖ Flocking❖ Positive / Negative Space❖ Art poses in a chair

***See Modern Dance Unit Resource Document One***

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C u l t u r a l D a n c e UNIT5th 6-weeks (3-week unit)

M o d e r n D a n c e UNIT5th 6-weeks & beginning of 6th 6-weeks (4-week unit)

B. Technique ❖ Rolling from one side of room to the other❖ Rocking❖ Spirals❖ Contractions❖ Over and under curve❖ Yoga stretches❖ Pilates Method “core” work❖ Drop Swings❖ Leg swings❖ Triplets❖ Prances

***See Modern Dance Unit Resource Document Two***

II. Written Work and Test - Modern PacketA. Modern Vocabulary***See Modern Dance Unit Resource Document Three***B. Laban’s 8 Qualities of Movement: Free flow, Bound flow, Sustained, Quick, Strong, Light, Direct & IndirectC. History of Modern Dance***See Modern Dance Unit Resource Document Four***

III. Modern Choreography / Creative ProjectA. Teacher/Student Collaboration***See Modern Dance Unit Resource Document Five***B. Improvisation Warm-Up’sC. Shape, Work, Space, Time, Weight, Retrograde, Weight Sharing, and Positive/Negative Space

IV. Modern Skills Test – Teacher / Student Collaboration ChoreographyA. Incorporation of each of the choreography elementsB. MemoryC. Effort

Unit Outline:

I. Choreography ProjectA. Project details

◆ 3-5 members of a group◆ 1:30 – 2:00 minutes◆ Teacher approved music◆ 2 Spot checks – Skills test grades

B. Final performance – 2nd semester exam grade

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F i n a l C h o r e o g r a p h yP r o j e c t6th 6-weeks

C. Grading:This project will be 2 skills test grades and a written grade for the 6th 6 weeks! THE FINAL PERFORMANCE WILL BE YOUR SEMESTER TEST GRADE! If you are absent, it is your responsibility to catch-up with the others. You will receive 20 points each day for participating with your group. ◆ Final Exam Grade

❉ Group Grade – choreography of the dance and all the required elements included❉ Individual Grade – Memory, technique, precision, rhythm/timing, strength of movements, and showmanship

II. Choreography A. Requirements

◆ 3-5 people in each group◆ Levels (low, medium, high) ◆ Parts, pick-up and/or ripple◆ Travel in space (direct and indirect) and at least 3 formations◆ Smooth transitions◆ Variety of timing◆ Variety of weights used◆ Weight sharing and/or positive/negative space◆ Focus◆ Visually interesting◆ 8 qualities of movement◆ Beginning and end

B. Music Requirements◆ 1:15 to 1:30 minutes in length◆ CD or tape OF YOUR OWN used as accompaniment ◆ MUSIC APPROVED BY TEACHER◆ Can NOT change music once it is approved!!

III. Written WorkA. Requirements

◆ Dance written out in 8-counts◆ Costume Doll: Cut out from magazine or drawn on paper – BE NEAT & CREATIVE and make sure costume

is appropriate for the dance

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