“Beginning Dance for All Abilities” is an introductory level dance and movement course for students with special needs and/or physical disabilities, as well as general education students. This course can be taken for 2nd year PE credits or performing arts elective credits. This accessible, inclusive course introduces students of all physical and cognitive abilities to a variety of movement styles. Students with moderate/severe special needs will be partnered with general education students to facilitate connection and collaboration in partnerwork. Students will also work together in small group choreography projects as well as whole class ensemble activities. All students will experience a fun, supportive, and uplifting dance workout that encourages movement discovery and freedom of expression without self-consciousness. Performance opportunities in the fall and spring dance concerts will be optional.
Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs):
ELOs covered in this course will focus on mastery of the following skills:
Students develop technical proficiency in a variety of dance styles and demonstrate understanding of essential skills.
Students apply knowledge of dance vocabulary in movement and in descriptive analysis.
Students work independently and collaboratively to apply choreographic principles, processes, and skills.
Students create and communicate meaning through improvisation, composition, and performance of dance.
Students develop SMART goals for fitness, nutrition, self-care, and dance, measuring their progress and reflecting on their goals.
Students apply dance science principles in cross-training and conditioning classes to enhance performance, reduce injury, and improve well-being and health.
Students analyze the function and development of dance in past and present cultures throughout the world, noting human diversity as it relates to dance and dancers.
Students critically assess and derive meaning from works of dance, performance of dancers, and original works according to the elements of dance and aesthetic qualities.
Students make connections between dance, history, culture and other subject areas. They also explore careers in and related to dance.