Ballroom 1 Disclosure
Course Description/Overview/Welcome Statement
The objective of this class is to give students experience in social dance and social etiquette. The dances that we will cover include: Cha Cha, Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing and Polka. They will also be expected to show proper etiquette in and outside of class. These include: asking and accepting dances, knowing classmates names, escorting and thanking, being courteous and respectful, dressing appropriately and respectfully for all events, leading and following, and knowing the names of steps.
Learning Expectations
Quizzes and assignments – these are review and help on canvas.
Practical tests -will be scheduled in advance. Students need to dress up for the practical exam. These are summative exams where the student will demonstrate their mastery of the dance studied. Students will have rubrics and checklists to guide their learning.
Outside Event attendance: Students are expected to attend one outside event. These can include concerts, competitions, dance labs, rehearsals, etc. They must be at a higher age or quality level than High School. At all events students are to dress respectfully to the organizers of the event. Jeans are NEVER allowed at a ballroom dance event. After attending, students need to do a 1 page critique write up.
Students are expected to perform in the end of semester concert (December ). There will be a dress rehearsal and the actual performance. Students will receive points for attending the rehearsal and performances. The Ballroom Dance program will supply costumes for the students. They are NOT expected to purchase any costumes.
Assessment of Progress
Standards based grading:
3’s and 4’s = A
1st 2 = B
up to 1/2 2’s = C
majority of 2’s = D
any 1’s or 0’s = F
Formative assessing is a continuous process. Each day students will do practice, peer evaluations and teacher feedback to improve their dancing.
Students will be given rubrics and checklists for each dance to know the expectations for the summative tests.
Sample checklist:
CHECKLIST:
Posture –
- Standing up through center
- Chest high
- Shoulders down
- Chin up
Lead and Follow –
- Connection with arms and hands
- Alemana and Hockey stick
- Different connections in figures
Footwork –
- NO HEEL LEADS!
- Tracking
- Placing feet correctly
- Cucarachas rolling side to side
Timing and rhythm –
- Start on count 2
- Hold the 4&1, don’t rush
Performance/characterization –
- Slow and deliberate movements
- Fluid movements
- Hip action developing
Sample rubric:
FOXTROT | Exceeds Expectations 4 | Meets Expectations 3 | Approaching Expectations 2 | Below Expectations 1 | TOTAL |
Posture/Poise/Position | Dancer demonstrates and maintains correct posture/poise/position consistently | Dancer demonstrates and maintains correct posture/poise/position some of the time | Dancer demonstrates and maintains correct posture/poise/position sporadically | Dancer has difficulty demonstrating and maintaining proper posture/poise/position | |
Leading-Following/Knowledge of steps | Dancer demonstrates fluent leading-following and knowledge of all steps | Dancer demonstrates fluent leading-following and knowledge of some of the steps | Dancer demonstrates fluent leading-following and knowledge of a few steps | Dancer has difficulty leading-following and demonstrating the steps | |
Footwork/Rise and Fall | Dancer has correct footwork and demonstrates correct rise and fall | Dancer has less than 3 footwork errors and demonstrates rise and fall some of the time | Dancer has more than 3 footwork errors and demonstrates minimal rise and fall | Dancer has more than 5 footwork errors and does not demonstrate rise and fall | |
Timing/Rhythm | Dancer demonstrates correct rhythms on all steps | Dancer demonstrates correct rhythms on most steps | Dancer demonstrates correct rhythms on some of the steps | Dancer has difficulty with rhythm in this dance | |
Performance/Expression/Characterization | Dancer is comfortable with performance/expression and character of this dance | Dancer is comfortable with performance/expression and character for some of this dance | Dancer is not comfortable with performance/expression and character of this dance | Dancer has difficulty performing/expression and character of this dance |
Course Materials
- Proper shoes for this class include: It must be a shoe they bring to class for ballroom dancing. Tennis shoes, sandals, boots, and flip flops do NOT count as ballroom shoes.
- Dress Code: There is not a “dress out” for this class like there is in gym, but clothes must be appropriate for this class. Please see the school dress code in the student planner. IN addition to this, it is requested that you also be respectful of the class dress code. This includes:
Ladies – shirts must have at least a cap sleeve. NO TANK TOPS! Shirts must not show the midriff when arms are lifted. NO BELLY SHIRTS!
Skirts and shorts must be mid-thigh.
Skirts must be changed or wear dance trunks or biker shorts with them.
Deodorant and showers are greatly encouraged.
Gentlemen – NO TANK TOPS!!!!!! Shorts and pants must STAY on the waist. NO SAGGING AND BAGGING! Deodorant and showers are greatly encouraged.
*Perfume or cologne is NOT deodorant! Please do not use excess amounts of perfume or cologne. People have allergies to these chemicals.
Classroom Procedures
Rules of Etiquette and Expectations:
- Speak only polite and positive language.
- Respect everyone and everything in the classroom.
- Listen when the teacher is speaking.
- Obey the safety rules.
- No food, drink, or gum in the ballroom studio.
- Be on time.
- Be prepared for class.
- Change partners as and when the teacher directs.
- Be in class for practice time.
- Be in class for testing.
- Perform at the end of semester concert.
Event Dress Code – there is a required dress code for all ballroom dance events. If you attend a ballroom competition, show, concert, ect. you are expected to dress nice casual. NEVER JEANS! This is disrespectful to the organizers of the event. This is also etiquette that is taught in class and should be applied to real life situations. If you attend an event (even just to watch) dressed improperly, you will lose 50% of the points for that event.
Calendar of Due Dates for Major Assignments
Progress Reports and Report Cards
Students and parents should access PowerSchool to see a weekly update on student’s grades earned.
Connecting Home to School
Students and parents can reach teacher by email:
angelaw@provo.edu
Personal Statement and other items (optional)
Ballroom 1 has two semesters available. The first semester of every year covers the Social Dance aspects of Ballroom Dance (Foxtrot, Cha cha, Waltz, Swing). The second semester of every year covers the Competition aspects of Ballroom Dance (Samba, Rumba, Quickstep, Waltz, Swing). Both semesters are required before proceeding onto Ballroom 2.