Introduction

Since early time people have danced. 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. The program will provide students with opportunities to:

• learn specific dances, including social, cultural and choreographed dances
• create dances in order to express personal ideas and feelings, and value their creations as unique expressions
• develop their dance techniques and deepen their spatial and kinaesthetic awareness (the internal feelings of the body's muscles and joints)
• further their understanding of dance by studying dance artists, dances and the roles of dance in cultures and societies (local, national and global), past and present
• examine the roles of dance in their own communities and daily lives
• gain understanding and develop appreciation of dance through critical reflection on dances of various styles experienced as participant and as audience.

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 dance program is organized into three required units and one optional unit:

Unit One		From Source to Expression
Unit Two		What's It All About?
Unit Three		Traditions and Innovations
Unit Four		Optional Interrelated Unit

The three components are to be integrated within these units. Dancing, creating dances, viewing dances and learning about dance can all be undertaken within the units.