Pre K - 2nd Grade

• Demonstrate movement elements in performing dance
  

Locomotor and nonlocomotor movements
Demonstrate even rhythmic movements and responds to changes in tempo
Fluid in axial movements (i.e. bend, twist, swing, run, hop, jump, leap)

• Demonstrate understanding of choreographic principles
  

Awareness of the body as it relates to space
Uses improvisation to explore and create movement ideas

• Understand dance is an outlet to create and communicate meaning
  

Perform cooperatively with others and works together in partners or small groups
Take direction from peers

• Understand and relate the rold of dance in culture
  

Learn words and movements from another culture
Explores movement in response to the music of a specific culture

• Understand the connection between dance and healthy living
  

Understands that dance practice at home improves strength, flexibility, and coordination
Begin to notice body differences (i.e. range of motion, size, etc)

• Understand the relationships between dance and other disciplines
  

Demonstrates how to express a visual image through movement (i.e. walk like a dog, walk on a tight rope like a clown, float like a petal in the wind)

3rd  - 5th Grade

• Demonstrate movement elements in performing dance
  

Uses a greater variety of locomotor and nonlocomotor movements (i.e. alignment, balance, imitation of movement, articulation of isolated body parts, weight shift, elevation and landing, contraction and release)
Coordinate simple actions of different body parts at the same time
Perform transitional movements to connect motions in high, middle and low levels

• Demonstrate understanding of choreographic principles
  

Understands how to make changes in time, space and force when doing sequences of related movements
Creates structured improvisations of dance both in groups and alone

• Understand dance is an outlet to create and communicate meaning
  

Creates dances that communicate experiences and ideas of personal significance
Performers movement sequences to various musical choices
Present and discuss dance sequences with peers

• Understand and relate the rold of dance in culture
  

Know a variety of cultural reasons to dance
Understands the traditions and techniques (i.e. steps and movement styles) of various dances

• Understand the connection between dance and healthy living
  

Creates personal improvement goals in dance
Understands strategies that involve injury prevention (i.e. warm ups, flexibility and coordination)

• Understand the relationships between dance and other disciplines
  

Create a dance that combines a variety of ideas and concepts from other interests (i.e. dancing to a favorite song from a film, mimicking a favorite heroin in dance sequence)