Ballet 4 SYLLABUS
I. Mrs. Tamara Irving, Rm. H4011
Tutorial: Monday 4:00-4:30
tirving@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Semester 1 - 2015
nahsdance.weebly.com
II. Course Description & Objective
-Ballet 4 is designed for students who have achieved proficiency in ballet, jazz and modern techniques as well as composition. Students must have
teacher permission to register for this course. Students will further explore the elements of Composition, Performance Techniques, and World
Dance Studies. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have prepared and performed a solo dance composition and begun work
on a second choreographic study. Students are exposed to guest teachers and choreographers.
-Enhancement of technique, stage presence, and performance quality are targeted. Students must perform a one-minute minimum dance jury for
final grade. Assessments for this course include how well student work relates to the following International Baccalaureate criteria: knowledge and
understanding, application and analysis, synthesis and evaluation, and selection, use and application of a variety of appropriate skills and
techniques.
III. Materials
· Composition Notebook
· Email/Google Docs account for turning in assignments
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· Writing Utensils
· Mandatory Dance Attire (see attached information sheet)
The following items are accepted:
GIRLS
Black or solid spaghetti strap or sleeveless leotard (although a black leotard will be necessary for the fall and/or spring dance concert); Black or
nude sports bra; Black, mocha/caramel tights; Skin tone ballet shoes; NO SHORT SHORTS!!!
BOYS
Black or white t-shirt with no words; Black shorts or black elastic waist pants (no jogging pants); Black socks/bare feet; Optional but encouraged:
Black ballet shoes
IV. Course Outline
A. Composition & Analysis
The student will:
1. Choreograph or perform in original works.
2. Arrange new formats for existing standard repertoire and/or traditional dances.
3. Demonstrate a facility in improvisational techniques.
4. Explore various movement possibilities and variations in accordance with the aesthetic principles of a particular dance form.
B. World Dance Studies
The student will:
1. Explore dances, gaining a physical and theoretical understanding of non-western dance forms.
2. Demonstrate investigation through research.
3. Present and demonstrate research methods through written assessment.
C.
Performance
The student will:
1. Develop movement skills appropriate to the dancer’s performance level.
2. Establish clarity in relationship to space, time, dynamics and movement qualities appropriate to the work.
3. Develop communicative expression in relation to other performers and to the audience.
V. Grading System:
A. Grading categories
1) Summative Assessments: 45% (common assessments, unit tests, research papers/essays, major assignments, midterm, projects)
2) Formative Assessments: 45% (daily work, class effort, proper use of time and materials, being prepared for class, dressing out in dance attire,
interaction with peers, following instructions, quizzes, problem solving, homework including Critiques of 5 Art Events,)
3) Final: 10%
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ALL students must attend 5 art events per semester. Must submit ticket stub and/or a program for credit with a written review.
Each event is worth 20 points, totaling 100. Due monthly.
Examples:
Any school performance, concert, ensemble or art exhibition, The High Museum, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Jazz
Festival, The Dogwood Festival, Atlanta Ballet, Inman Park Festival, Atlanta Children’s Museum, The Atlanta Botanical Gardens,
Atlanta History Center, Battle of the Bands, The Carter Center, MLK Center, Music Midtown, Atlanta Boys Choir, Bennett Street
Galleries, The Alliance Theater, Museum of Design Atlanta, Concerts & live performances
B. Grading scale: A: 90-100%; B: 80-89%; C: 70-79%; F: Below 69%
C. Late/Redo work policy
ALL projects have deadlines and due dates.
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Late Work -If a project is not turned in on specified due date, 10 points per day will be deducted.
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Redo work will be given a due date and a total number of points to be gained by resubmission. If work is not submitted on due date the
original grade will be assigned.
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Missed Assignments, Quizzes, Rehearsals, Performances and Tests: Students have 5 calendar days from the assigned date to make up
the task if a signed, dated excuse from a doctor or a parent with a valid telephone number is received on the day the student returns to
school. For missed performances, student must complete an alternative research assignment.
EXCEPTIONS:
Signed, dated excuse from a doctor or a parent with a valid telephone number on the following day.
Must have clear communication with parent about extenuating circumstances.
D. Standardized Tests
Atlanta Public Schools has developed content area standardized pre and post tests to determine if the content knowledge was acquired during
the course of the semester.
VI. Classroom Expectations:
1. Be prepared and on time for class.
2. Come to class every day with dance attire, your journal and writing utensils.
3. You will always dance in my “dance” class, so please do not think you will work on other material during class. Put your best foot forward and you
will succeed.
4. Please do not ask to borrow costumes to use for dance attire or when out of dress code.
5. No jewelry is to be worn in dance class. It is required that your hair be tied up and back, preferably in ponytail or bun. No hair in face.
6. If a student has an injury that persists for more than two (2) days, a doctor’s note should be obtained and presented to the teacher.
7. All Dancers should carry Deodorant, Wipes, Hair Elastics (girls), and Bobby Pins (girls).
A. Classroom Procedures
1. Come to class every day quietly with dance attire and writing utensils.
2. You will have 5 minutes to dress. During those five minutes, you should be dressing out in dance attire and using the rest room if necessary.
Dismissal to the restroom after dress out period will be limited. This 5-minute period is not to be used to socialize in the dressing rooms. After
you get dressed, immediately place shoes and bags in the designated area/lockers. Jewelry and other personal items including phones should
also go in your locker.
3. Begin your sponge activity until Mrs. Irving finishes her attendance and grades your sponge activity.
4. If a student is sick and the student chooses to be in school, the student may sit out and write a summary from a dance article and an
Observation paper (2 pages in length). Sitting out will severely affect your grade since you are not physically active in class. Non-dressed &
tardy individuals are expected to watch and write down class exercises as well as completing an Observation paper. Students are expected to
turn papers into Mrs. Irving at the end of class. Papers will be evaluated for content and quality of work.
B. Tardy/Attendance policy
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When the last bell sounds, teachers are to close their door and direct students to get a HERO pass from the Hillside Check Point.
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Students are expected to attend all assigned after school rehearsals and performances. A written excuse from a parent must be
submitted in order for an absence to be recorded as excused.
C. Classroom rules and Consequences
Classroom Rules:
1. Do not do anything that inhibits someone else from learning.
2. Respect yourself, each other, the space you are in and the materials you are using.
3. No food, drinks, or candy. Exception: Bottled water w/ lid, kept on the floor.
4. All electronic devices (except calculators) are to be turned off and out of sight in the classroom. Otherwise they will be confiscated. No mirror
pictures!!!
5. No jewelry is to be worn in dance class. It is required that your hair be tied up and back, preferably in ponytail or bun. No hair in face.
Consequences:
1. Conference with teacher, detention, parental contact.
2. Parental conference with student/ formal written disciplinary referral to administration.
3. Recommendation for ISS and/or suspension.
VII. DAMAGE/ THEFT POLICY
Students will be responsible for the replacement cost of intentionally damaged, stolen or lost materials. See NAHS Handbook.
Textbooks:
Dance history books, and other reference or classroom books are a valuable asset in the learning experience and will not be issued to each student.
Books can be checked out for studying purposes and students will be held responsible for any damages' and/or theft.
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Calendar of semester rehearsals and informal performances to be announced
November 16-19, 2015 – Fall Dance Concert Series
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