Clovis East High School Instructor: Heather Karsevar

Performing Arts AcademyRoom #: 802

Dance Department Office Phone: 327-4169

2014-15 School Year Email:

CEHS Dance and Drama Website

Remind.com
@misskarsev / Facebook Page
Clovis East High School Dance & Drama
Twitter & Instagram
CEHSDanceDrama

Syllabus: Dance 1AB

(All information is subject to change and students will be notified of any changes)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To introduce fundamental dance skills through a variety of genres including, but not limited to, jazz, modern/contemporary, ballet, folk, musical theater, and choreography exercises. Students will gain knowledge in correct posture and alignment of the body, muscle control, and the basic mechanics of movement.

COURSE CONTENT:

There is no prerequisite for this course. Dance 1AB is a beginning level dance technique class in which the fundamentals of dance are taught. The curriculum for this class will consist of basic dance movements and combinations in the center of the room as well as across the floor, conditioning of the body, vocabulary tests, written assignments, some dance theory, and a final group choreography assignment.

DRESS CODE:

Shoes-Athletic shoes must be worn to and from class each day (no backless shoes, sandals, or

boots). Students are welcome to bring dance shoes to class as long as they do not mark

the dance floor. Dance shoes should not be worn to and from class or outside at any

time. This is for the safety and health of the student as well as the protection of your

investment in these shoes and the cleanliness of the Dance Studio. Outside shoes are not

allowed on the Dance Studio floor.

Hair- Hair should be properly secured off of the face and all dangly jewelry should be removed

before class.

Clothes- The basic CEHS P.E. uniform is acceptable for this class. If a student does not have

CEHS P.E. clothes they may wear a plain grey T-Shirt and plain navy blue shorts with no graphics, stripes or emblems (CEHS Spirit Packs are acceptable if they are navy blue or grey). As the weather gets colder students may wear dance pants or sweats, but these must be school colors (hunter green, navy blue, white, black, or grey). Pants should be short enough to allow the instructor to see the alignment of the foot and ankle (pant legs that drag on the floor will be allowed). I recommend layers of clothing for this class in order to prevent injury from cold muscles in the winter months.

**All students must dress out for class. Their P.E. attire must be worn to roll call and to and from the locker rooms before and after class. Failure to do so will result in losing points for not dressing out correctly and/or a dress code violation and referral to the SRC.**

CLASSROOM POLICIES:

Shoes-Absolutely no outside shoes are allowed in the Dance Studio. If you do not have dance

shoes you may bring socks to wear over your toes for turns. Dancers are also allowed to

dance barefoot in class, but should put shoes on when going outside of the Dance Studio.

Food and Drink-Food and drinks are not allowed in the dance studio. There is a drinking

fountain available and water bottles are acceptable in class.

Gum- GUM IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE STUDIO EVER.

Talking-There will be a lot of talking in class as you work with other students. However, when

the instructor, or another student, is addressing the class, talking must cease and all

attention should be given to that person.

Respect-Respect others in class as well as yourself. Embrace and support your fellow

classmates as you are all on this journey together. Be kind to yourself. You are here to

learn and are not expected to be professional dancers by the end of this course.

Open Mind and Heart-Let yourself be open to the experience. The more you let yourself learn

in class the more you will enjoy the course.

GRADING:

Attendance and Participation- This is a participation based course and therefore attendance is a

crucial part of each student’s grade. If you are not in class you cannot earn points towards

your grade.

A possible 10 points may be earned for each block day class (Wed./Thurs.)

and 5 points may be earned for each class on Mon., Tues., and Fri.

  • Daily Points (Doubled on block days)-
  • PE Make-Up +5 points
  • Participation +3 points
  • Proper PE Attire +2 points
  • Unexcused tardy-1point
  • Incomplete Uniform-1 point
  • Non-Participation -3 points
  • Absence-5 points
  • Misconduct (referral)-5 points
  • Non-Dress-5 points
  • Truancy -5 points
  • School related function absences – no points are lost if the student communicates with the teacher before the event (choir, sports, etc.)
  • Automatic non-dress – Jeans, skirts, or the incorrect shoes (sneakers are the ONLY acceptable shoes to wear to class)
  • Tests and Assessments-

  • Practical Exams - 20 points each
  • Written Exams -10 points each
  • Written Assignments - 10 points each
  • Spirit Points – 20 points each month
  • Final Group Choreography - TBA

Students in this course strive toward a well-rounded education.

What is a Sparthenian?

A Sparthenian is someone who focuses on the mind, body, and spirit. Spirit points are given each month to students who value the rights of others and make a positive contribution towards bettering our social and physical environment.

This involves giving of themselves and helping others.

In order for students to earn their spirit points each month they must offer their time, service, or support without being asked to do so.

I have included examples below, but also encourage students to be creative!

CEHS Spirit Points On Campus –

  • Ask your teacher if you can get their mail or assist in class (teacher sends an email for 5 points)
  • Go to the SRC and offer to help clean up trash at lunch or after school (SRC sends an email for 5 points)

CEHS Spirit Points Off Campus –

  • Volunteer to crew a CEHS Drama or Dance Performance (teacher sends an email for 20 points once you have completed your assignment)
  • Go see a CEHS Drama or Dance Performance (sign in with teacher at the performance for 20 points)

Spirit Points earned at Home – (Parent, guardian, or responsible adult signs a note for 5 points)

  • Offer to babysit your siblings without being asked
  • Offer to do someone else’s chores
  • Offer to clean the house or do yard work

*If you have any questions about this course or the items included in this syllabusfeel free to call or email me.*

Events Calendar

The events below are not all required. Please check to see which events are available to you and your class. I will inform the class about spirit point opportunities as they come up.

“Broadway Now”(Broadway Revue)February 19-21, 2015

“Benny”(Spring Musical)April 30-May 2 & May 7-9, 2015

“Dancing Through Time” (Gala)May 14-15, 2015

Performing Arts AssemblyTBA

Dance 1 Video/DVD List

This is a list of videos students may watch in this class. Students will watch parts of some videos and the full length feature of others. They will not necessarily watch all of the films on this list. If new videos are added to this list they will be PG-13, PG, or G, and related to dance. If there is any question about the content in the video I will send home a separate permission slip for that video

Documentaries and recorded choreography-

“Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer” – Not rated (NR)

“A Tribute to Alvin Ailey with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater” – NR

“An Evening With The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater” – NR

“Martha Graham In Performance” – NR

 “Blast” – NR

“Burn The Floor” – NR

“Stomp Out Loud” – NR

 “Earthquake” (The Diablo Ballet) – NR

“Nederlands Dans Theater Jiri Kylian’s ‘Black and White Ballets’” – NR

Excerpts from various dance segments in film and TV including, but not limited to, “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars”.

Videos made for the big screen

“On The Town” – NR

“West Side Story” – NR

“Smokey Joe’s Café” – NR

“Fiddler On The Roof” – G

“George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” – General Audiences (G)

“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” – G

“Singin’ In The Rain” – G

“Hello, Dolly!” – G

“Dance With Me” – Parental Guidance Suggested (PG)

“Enchanted” – PG

“Hairspray” – PG

“Mad Hot Ballroom” – PG

“Happy Feet” – PG

“Footloose” – PG

“Evita” – PG

“Annie” – PG

“Swing Kids” – PG-13

“The Phantom of the Opera” – PG-13

“Drumline” – PG-13

“Shall We Dance” – PG-13

 “Dreamgirls” – PG-13

“One Last Dance’ – PG-13

Only a few dance scenes will be viewed from these films and not the full video.

“The Company” – PG-13

“Dirty Dancing” – PG-13

 “Rize” – PG-13

“Fame” – PG

“Nine” – PG-13

Motivational videos from Nick Vujicic

Dance Videos

Please fill out, and return, the following pages to Ms. Karsevar:

  • Signature Page in the back of the syllabus
  • Parent Signature Page from the Code of Ethics
  • Student Signature Page from the Code of Ethics

Found at

The Clovis Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, or national origin in admission or access to and treatment of employment in its programs and activities as required by Title VI, Title IX and Section 504. Complaints: Contact Dr. Cheryl Rogers, Human Resources, (559) 327-9308.

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DANCE 1AB

**Print and return this page to Ms. Karsevar**

Class Period: ______

Grade : ______

Student’s Name (printed): ______

******************************************************************************

Please answer the following questions honestly: (you can use the back if you need more space)

  1. Why did you sign up for this class? ______
  2. What is your goal for this class?

a)Increase flexibilityb) Increase strengthc) Learn a specific skill (explain)

d) Increase coordinatione) Get training for auditions f) Other (explain on back)

  1. Do you have access to the internet and a printer at home? ______

(If you answered, “no” you will need to access the internet at the LMC. I will be posting certain assignments on our website that you will need to print and complete.)

  1. What are your PFA Goals for this year (Physical Fitness Assessment)?

(Do not write “pass”. That is too vague. Do you want to increase your speed, endurance, get a better score by one point, two points?)

Mile Run ______

Modified Pull-Ups______

Curl-Ups______

Sit and Reach ______

Trunk Lift ______

  1. Additional comments: ______

Parents/Guardians:

**I have read, understand, and agree to the rules and commitments stated in the syllabus for Dance 1AB.

______

(Parent/Guardian Signature)(Date)

**My son/daughter has permission to view the videos/DVDs/youtube videos included on the list in this packet. I also give my son/daughter permission to view PG-13, PG, and G rated films the instructor feels are related to the course of study as well as appropriate youtube.com videos related to this course.

______

(Parent/Guardian Signature)(Date)

**I release all rights to my son/daughter’s choreography, video, or still photos taken of them used for publication or promotion of and by the CEHS Dance Department.

______

(Parent/Guardian Signature)(Date)

Students:

**I understand the rules, commitments, and instructions given in this syllabus for Dance 1AB. I will abide by the rules, follow through with my commitments, and have carefully read instructions given in this syllabus. I also release the rights to video or photo taken of me for the publication and/or promotion of and by the CEHS Dance Department.

______

(Student Signature)(Date)