Dance 9-12 Benchmarks

East Central Ohio Area Media Center

Resources for Dance 9-12 Benchmarks

Historical, Cultural and Social Contexts

Students understand dance forms and styles from a diverse range of cultural environments of past and present society. They know the contributions of significant choreographers, dancers and dance organizations to dance heritage. Students analyze the philosophical beliefs, social systems and movement norms that influence the function and role of dance in the lives of people.

A. Synthesize contextual information about culturally representative dances to understand and explain their development.

B. Explain how dance is a meaningful expression of culture.

C. Explain ways in which works of dance relate to the themes and issues of their historical, cultural and social contexts.

Creative Expression and Communication

Students create, interpret and perform dances to demonstrate understanding of choreographic principles, processes and structures. They understand how to use dance and movement to express ideas and to make meaning of their world.

A. Demonstrate alignment, articulation, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and focus while dancing.

B. As a soloist or with an ensemble, perform a dance that demonstrates expression and clarity and which includes a variety of complex movement sequences (e.g., use of space, dynamics, rhythms, pathways and forms).

C. Create a personal work that demonstrates originality, unity, clarity of intent and a dynamic range of movement.

D. Review, revise and refine an original dance with attention to the full production value.

Analyzing and Responding

Students express orally, and in writing, their interpretations and evaluations of dances they observe and perform. They understand and use the vocabulary of art criticism to discuss their responses to a variety of dance forms and styles.

A. Synthesize knowledge of all aspects of a dance performance (e.g., dance elements, choreography, performance skills, staging, theatrical elements and sound) to interpret and evaluate dances.

B. Analyze and interpret recognized works of dance by a variety of choreographers.

C. Use established criteria to assess the effectiveness of dance and theatrical elements in communicating meaning.

D. Critique a dance and justify opinion using a defined set of criteria.

Valuing the Arts/Aesthetic Reflection

Students inquire about the nature and experience of dance in their lives. They reflect on the significance and value of dances they see and perform. Students present points of view about dance and respond thoughtfully to others' points of view.

A Write and present personal statements about the meaning and significance of dance experiences (e.g., performing, observing and responding to dance).

B Articulate and justify a philosophy of dance and cite sources that contributed to their thinking (e.g., personal experience, professionals in the field and artists' biographies).

Connections, Relationships and Applications

Students apply their knowledge of dance to the study of other arts areas and disciplines outside the arts. Students make connections between dance and healthful living.

A Explain common issues, topics and problems that demonstrate the connection between dance, other arts areas and disciplines outside the arts.

B Explain how the study of dance provides knowledge and skills essential to life, personal health and effective work in various careers.

C Create an individual advocacy statement in support of dance and dance education.

Other Dance Grade Level Benchmarks

Grades K-4 Dance Benchmarks

Grades 5-8 Dance Benchmarks

Other Arts Grade Level Benchmarks

Grades K-4 Drama/Theater Benchmarks

Grades 5-8 Drama/Theater Benchmarks

Grades 9-12 Drama/Theater Benchmarks

Grades K-4 Music Benchmarks

Grades 5-8 Music Benchmarks