Dance has been integral to social, religious, ceremonial and spiritual functions of many cultures throughout history. It has been, and continues to be, a way for people to express ideas and feelings that are significant in their daily lives. The dance program will encourage students to explore and discover the dance of various peoples in a meaningful way and will enable students to express themselves through a non-verbal means of communication. The program will give students a comprehensive understanding of dance as they learn specific dances, look at dances and create their own dances. Through dance experiences in the three components of the program, students will be encouraged to explore, reflect on and learn about dance.
Dance links the body, intellect and emotions.
This integration provides students with opportunities that further personal and social growth and promote well-being. At the same time, dance gives students another means of communicating their own ways of seeing and responding to the world around them. Ultimately, the dance curriculum strives to foster a life-long interest in dance. It will challenge students to reach new levels of discovery and awareness and to understand dance and its value. The three components are to be integrated within these units.