LoveWorks Academy For Visual and Performing Arts
K-2nd Grade Creative Dance
3rd-8th Grade VP Dance: Jazz/Tap/Ballet
Class Syllabus 2012-2013
Hello! My name is Mrs. Amy Jo Oksnevad and I will be the Dance Teacher for LoveWorks
Academy. This will be my fifth year at LoveWorks and I am very excited to have another
successful year! I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) with a
Bachelors degree in December 2006. There I majored in Marketing and minored in Dance
and Psychology. I have a total of 18 years of dance experience. The first 9 years I had
training in ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical at Brenda’s School of Dance. During this time I also
assisted a tiny tot (5 and 6 year olds) dance class and 5th/6th graders in jazz and tap. The
remaining years were spent training and choreographing dances at UMD in jazz, tap, ballet,
modern, hip-hop and African dance. This will also be my fifth year as a dance teacher at
Synergy Dance Center in Farmington, MN. Here I teach ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical to ages 3
to adult. I absolutely love working with children and have had the opportunity to do so all
my life. I look forward to another great and rewarding year!
Mrs. Amy Jo Oksnevad
School number: (763) 522-6830
Email: aoksnevad@loveworksacademy.org
Purpose
During this course you will learn the fundamentals and choreography of many different
style of dance, such as: creative movement (K-2), ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip-hop. You
will also have the opportunity to learn a brief history of each style of dance and some key
vocabulary terms for each style of dance.
Another key focus of this class is for you to express yourself through movement. My hopes
are for you to gain some of the following throughout the year:
-Self Expression
-Teamwork
-Self-motivation and confidence
-Discipline and commitment
-Following and executing direction
-Health and body awareness
Classes
 Creative Dance (Grades K – 2)
This is a fun introductory class that will introduce students to dance. Creative movement
and activities help introduce the beginning fundamentals of ballet, tap and tumbling.
Students also play games that enhance cognitive & social development and learn classroom
etiquette. We will be covering the dance standards of space, time, energy, shape, movement
and choreography.
Materials needed: Costume supplies for the Showcases in December and May.
Detailed information will be posted in the Wednesday notes around mid-October and
mid-March.
 VP Dance: Ballet, Jazz, Tap (Grades 3-8)
For 1st semester this will be an introductory class where students will be introduced to
basic ballet, tap and jazz fundamentals; including body alignment, vocabulary and basic
positions of the feet and arms. Moving into second semester this class will be centered on
more intermediate dance technique and will include more barre and center floor work, as
well as progressions that include basic turns, jumps and leaps. This class will be using
structured technical exercises that condition the body for strength, coordination and
flexibility. There will be activities which focus on space, time, shape, and movement, as well
as, allowing the dancer to improvise their own feelings through movement. We will also
learn center and locomotor progressions as well as proper strength and stretching
techniques to increase flexibility. All movement will be modest & age appropriate. All music
will be free of questionable lyrics. We will be using Dorothy Vose’s leveled ballet
curriculum (levels 1-4) for ballet, Al Gilbert’s graded tap technique for tap and Gus Giordano
jazz technique for jazz.
Materials needed:
Dance Uniform: Black t-shirt (with no logos/writing), black dance pants/leggings
(fitted), sport bra, proper dance shoes (ballet shoes (pink), tap shoes (black), jazz
shoes/tennis shoes (black)), water bottle.
Shoes can be purchased at:
- Step N’ Stretch (all shoes) -Payless Shoes (ballet shoes ONLY)
-Any dance studio in the area (all shoes): Hollywood Dance Studio, Dominion Dance
Academy, Art of Dance Studio, Dancing on Broadway, etc.
Also, costume supplies will need to be purchased for the Showcases in December and
May. Detailed information will be posted in the Wednesday notes around midOctober and mid-March.
MUST HAVE complete uniform (including required shoes, pants,
shirt, sport bra) by October 1st!
1st No Uniform Strike = call home, sit out and work on dance packet.
2nd No Uniform Strike or more = Red Referral Slip for each offense, dance packet.
3 Red Slips or more = suspension and student will be moved into Dance History therefore, will no longer be in the VP Dance class.
Showcases
You will have the opportunity to participate in two Showcases that will contain steps from
one of the styles of dance you have learned. Showcases are December 14 and May 17 and
they are MANDATORY. It is a great opportunity for you to show off your skills! If you are in
dance, it does not guarantee that you will perform in the Showcase or outside
performances. This will be determined on how well you do in dance and other classes.
There will be an alternate assignment to earn these points if you do not participate in the
Showcases.
Expectations and Rules
 4 Keys of LoveWorks: See class walls for details.
 Come prepared for class on time everyday: This means standing in assigned lines
in your uniform, with the appropriate shoes on, with hands and feet to self, mouths
quiet and eyes on the teacher. This also means turning in all assignments on time.
 Actively participate in class: Listen carefully to the teacher’s directions and model
the steps. Ask questions! Please raise your hand and wait for the teacher to call your
name. Also, be productive with your time in class by actively working on the task at
hand. Practice Showcase dances daily.
 Required Attire: ONLY for students in the VP dance class. The 3rd-8th VP Dance
class is required to wear a black t-shirt (no logos/writing), black dance
pants/leggings and sport bra to class everyday, along with the proper dance shoes.
No school shoes, socks or bare feet allowed.
After October 1st, if you are not wearing ALL of the proper attire for dance:
1st No Uniform Strike = call home, sit out and work on dance packet.
nd
2 No Uniform Strike or more = Red Referral Slip for each offense, dance packet.
3 Red Slips or more = suspension and student will be moved into Dance History.
Therefore, will no longer be in the VP Dance class.
 Treat others as THEY would like to be treated: This means that there will be
absolutely no fighting, talking back, using inappropriate language, bullying, etc. If
any of these rules are broken it is grounds for an immediate office referral.
 Bathroom: No bathroom breaks unless there is an emergency. Classes are only 3060 minutes.
 Voice Rubric: In dance class, student’s voices may be at a 2-partner voice or a 3classroom voice when the teacher permits talking for different activities. All other
activities require a 0.
 Strikes (K-8 grade): If a student is not following directions, misbehaving and/or not
wearing the correct uniform (VP dance class) they will receive a strike. 1st strike =
Warning, 2nd strike = Sit out and/or work on dance packet/sentences/worksheet,
3rd strike = Red Slip to Ms. Keel’s office. Parent/Guardians will be called if a student
receives a Red Slip referral to Ms. Keels.
*VP dance class ONLY: If you receive 3 strikes for behavior and/or uniform,
you will be moved into an independent study Dance History class and will not
be performing in the Showcase(s). In this class you will be required to
complete assignments on the material given in order to receive your dance
grade.
Evaluations and Grading
Attendance…………………………………………………………………………………………………...1 point/ class
Participation…………………………………………………………………………………………….….3 points/ class
Dance uniform (VP Dance - 3rd-8th ONLY).…………………………………………………….1 points/class
Assignments……………………………………………………………………………..……..10 points/ worksheet
Participation in Showcase (December and May) or Essay on Famous Dancer (VP Dance – 3rd
-8th ONLY)……………………………………………………………………………………………..………….. 30 points