Brief Overview

We take a serious approach to develop our students' fundamental skills. Dance plays an important role within the curriculum. Students learn how to develop their team work, communication, problem solving, analytical and evaluation skills. Dance is also a fun way of staying fit and healthy. Projects at Key Stage 3 cover a variety of themes. These include: health and fitness, choreography, performing for an audience, musical theatre, and the exploration of whole class routines.
 

Students are assessed on three key areas:

Creating
Performing
Evaluating

Details of Courses/Qualifications

It is important that students have a good understanding health and safety for all areas of assessment.
Students achieve levels, as specified by the Arts Council for England (1c – 8a - see assessment criteria).

In year 7 we expect students to complete the year with a minimum of level 3.
In year 8 we expect students to complete the year with a minimum of level 4.
In year 9 we expect students to complete the year with a minimum of level 5.

Dance is also offered at Key Stage 4 (see ‘Why choose GCSE Dance’). Students can gain a GCSE qualification following the two year course. Students study ‘Actions’, ‘Space’, ‘Dynamics’, and ‘Relationships’, as well as learning about professional works. Students gain their GCSE through coursework and a written exam:

Choreography – 30%
Performance – 20%
Set study – 20%
Written paper – 20%
Written coursework – 10%

Why choose GCSE Dance?

In addition to helping students acquire subject knowledge, this specification:

• promotes fitness, a healthy lifestyle, team working and creativity
• actively engages students in the process of dance in order to develop them as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
• develops students' skills, knowledge and understanding of a range of dance styles through the interrelated processes of performing, creating and appreciating dances
• develops physical, technical and expressive skills through which students are able to communicate choreographic intention and develop their individual qualities as performers
• develops students' skills, knowledge and understanding of choreography through which they are able to communicate ideas, thoughts and meaning drawn from a range of dance styles.
• develops a critical appreciation of dance in its physical, artistic, aesthetic and cultural contexts
• provides progression from Key Stage 3 and a solid foundation for further studies in dance or performing arts, including A-level Dance and the Creative and Media Diploma, and/or a career in performing arts.

Level Descriptors

Dance Levels - Choregraphy

Level 4

Work in groups to create sequences:

• in a given style
• with your own movements
• and understand the use of accompaniment

Level 5

Create sequences that include:

• floor patterns and other formations
• quality movements
• different dynamics

Level 6

Create sequences and be able to:

• develop motifs in different ways
• use variety, climax and highlights
• include unity and balance

You must be able to describe what unison, cannon and sequence means at all levels

Dance Levels - Performance

Level 4

• copy set sequences in a given style
• show a contrast in dynamics
• stay in time with the accompaniment

Level 5

• perform set sequences with style
• perfom with confidence
• perform movements precisley

Level 6

• apply specific actions with different qualities
• perform with 100% fluency
• give a highly competent performance with total control

You must remember all of the movement rehearsed to achieve the above levels

Dance Levels - Evaluation

Level 4

• sit quietly as a member of an audience and applaud when appropriate
• evaluate and review own and the work of others in some detail
• use correct dance vocabulary

Level 5

• identify the style and purpose of a peice of dance work
• discuss in detail the necessary requirrments of health, safety and fitness for dance

Level 6

• identify skills and qualities of performance work and recognise and comment on the techniques used in own and the work of others

You must be able to describe a piece of work of achieve the above levels

Parental Support

Please visit the We Achieve Together section of our website for information about how you as a parent can help your child meet his/her targets.

Homework

Students are set homework in accordance with the whole school policy.

Links

Curriculm Support Matherials

Birdsong.ppt

Choreography Check.doc

Dance Vocab.pdf

Ghost Dances.doc

 

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