Dance at Austin ISD
Austin ISD Fine Arts believes in strong dance education because it develops well-rounded students through movement-based learning that builds physical awareness, discipline, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking while supporting confidence, self-expression, and social-emotional growth. Dance instruction connects academic learning to real-world skills such as teamwork, communication, goal-setting, and kinesthetic awareness, while also fostering cultural understanding and civic engagement through performance and choreography. By providing equitable access to dance education, students with diverse learning styles are supported, school engagement and achievement are strengthened, and learners are prepared for college, careers, and active participation in society.
Middle School
Students in middle school are required to participate in one fine arts course in grades 6, 7 or 8. In Austin ISD, the middle school fine arts course requirement can be satisfied by taking art, band, choir, dance, theater, guitar, orchestra, and piano, if applicable. The fine arts requirement can be met with either a semester or a yearlong course. All courses offered in this section meet the state fine arts requirement.
DANCE MS 1
Grade: 6-8
Prerequisite: NONE
Students in their first year of dance in middle school enroll in Dance MS 1. The purpose of this class is to introduce students to dance, as well as basic choreography. The history of selected dance forms will be explored, and students will spend the majority of class time experiencing these dance forms through movement and performance. Students may be required to take Dance Wellness or Functional Dance opposite this course. This course is NOT a prerequisite for the Dance Team.
DANCE MS 2
Grade: 7-8
Prerequisite: Dance MS 1
Dance students in their second year of dance in middle school enroll in Dance MS 2. These courses are full year courses designed to educate students in the art form of dance, as well as prepare them to live healthy lifestyles and be prepared for success at higher levels of dance instruction. Dance instruction includes but is not limited to the styles of ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, choreography and production. The students will learn correct terminology and the history behind each style of dance. In addition, students will learn and perform a routine for each style of dance in class and may have the opportunity to give public performances. Additionally, students may have the opportunity to create and choreograph their own routines.
DANCE MS 3
Grade: 8
Prerequisite: Dance MS 2
Dance students in their third year of dance in middle school enroll in Dance MS 3. These courses are full year courses designed to educate students in the art form of dance, as well as prepare them to live healthy lifestyles and be prepared for success at higher levels of dance instruction. Dance instruction includes but is not limited to the styles of ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, choreography and production. The students will learn correct terminology and the history behind each style of dance. In addition, students will learn and perform a routine for each style of dance in class and may have the opportunity
High School
Attendance at performances and rehearsals outside school hours is required and included in grades. In addition to the regular curriculum, students will be required to complete extra work for weighted credit. Within the dance discipline, students are encouraged to follow the sequence of courses to complete a Humanities and Fine Arts endorsement.
PRINCIPLES OF DANCE I-IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Before a student can advance to the next level Dance course, they must complete any previous level Dance course.
Students learn to work cooperatively with others through various group compositions. Students learn about the cultural, historic and artistic diversity of various dance styles. Students have an opportunity to choreograph and present a movement piece using the body as a means of expression. Students must perform in a public recital.
DANCE COMPOSITION/IMPROV I-IV
Credit: 0.5 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Before a student can advance to the next level Dance course, they must complete any previous level Dance course.
First year in the program, regardless of grade level. Dance Composition I-IV is a practical exploration of a variety of processes and elements that may be used in the study of creating dances. Students will create their own dance studies in response to a variety of assigned choreographic exercises. Topics will include elements such as space, time, shape, and dynamics, and processes such as abstraction, thematic development, and revision. Improvisation will be employed to initiate the exploration of concepts, but, ultimately, in most cases, the work will be set into a fixed, repeatable form.
DANCE PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE I-IV A
Credit: 0.5 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Before a student can advance to the next level Dance course, they must complete any previous level Dance course.
First year in the program, regardless of grade level. Dance Composition I-IV is a practical exploration of a variety of processes and elements that may be used in the study of creating dances. Students will create their own dance studies in response to a variety of assigned choreographic exercises. Topics will include elements such as space, time, shape, and dynamics, and processes such as abstraction, thematic development, and revision. Improvisation will be employed to initiate the exploration of concepts, but, ultimately, in most cases, the work will be set into a fixed, repeatable form.
DANCE THEORY I-IV A
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Dance I or Lifetime Fitness and Dance/Aerobic Dance and instructor approval.
First year in the program, regardless of grade level. Dance Theory I-IV orients students to the field of dance as an academic discipline, profession, and art form. This course supplies students with information and processes of inquiry to facilitate their own decision making as they proceed in the field of dance and promote critical thinking skills that are the foundation for this course.
WORLD DANCE FORMS I-IV DUAL LANGUAGE
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: Participation in a Dual Language Program and/or Spanish proficiency.
Students will develop a deep understanding and appreciation for the historical, linguistic, athletic, theatric, and performance skills associated with Ballet Folklórico. This course will open the door to our students’ exploration of their various heritages, as well as further the development of a wide variety of dance skills that can transfer to other disciplines. Ballet Folklórico can broaden Hispanic and non- Hispanic’s students' perspectives and worldview, opening their minds to the full depth of Mexican culture. This course is part of the dual language program and is taught primarily in Spanish.