Wednesday, December 17, 2014

End of the Semester Library Days

Wonderful work on your Quarter 2 Assessments! For the next three days, we will be reflecting on our progress through the second quarter and entire first semester. Hopefully, I will have your Q2 Assessments graded by the beginning of class on Thursday.

After reviewing all of the portfolios, some of us still have A LOT work to complete. I will (or have already) pass back your rubric, which specifically shows where you should focus your time and efforts. 

Directions for today:
  1. Open Chrome through Launchy.
  2. Log in to gmail, and get to your drive.
  3. Open your portfolio.
  4. Review rubric.
  5. Make any changes to previous sections.
  6. Continue with questions for other sections. Questions can be found here. Students who did not complete the following assessments should complete the alternative assignments, which are titled with green font here.
    1. Lyrical Choreography
    2. Choreography Project
    3. Quarter 2 Assessment
    4. Quarter 2 Flexibility
    5. Semester 1 Reflection

Don't forget your order forms! ๐Ÿ‘• I need them by Friday! Also, meet me in the library today! ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ“–๐Ÿ“š



via Instagram http://ift.tt/1sEycmE

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Surprise Library Day at RHS

Due to construction around the dance studio, we will be meeting in the library today. 

After reviewing all of the portfolios, some of us still have some work to complete. I will pass back your rubric, which specifically shows where you should focus your time and efforts today. When you are finished, you may work quietly on another subject.

Directions for today:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Log in to gmail, and get to your drive.
  3. Open your portfolio.
  4. Review rubric.
  5. Continue work on sections.
  6. Start lyrical questions found on page 7.

RHS ONLY - don't dress out and meet in library today! Construction going on around dance studio! ๐Ÿ˜ฉ๐Ÿ™Š



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Thursday, October 30, 2014

Ballet Reflection

Hello Dancers!

We have made it through our first quarter of dance! You did such a great job with your Quarter 1 Assessment and your ballet choreography! Thursday and Friday are workdays to review and evaluate the work that you have completed in our ballet unit.

There are several things for us to accomplish in the lab! First, if you haven't finished the first six slides, you should go back to the blog entry from October 3 to finish any incomplete assessments.

Next, I want you to watch your Quarter 1 Assessment videos. Remember, these videos are unlisted, so the only people who have access to them are your group mates and me. I will not share these videos with anyone else, unless you grant me permission to do so. Watch the entire thing! I'll know if you do not. :)

It is okay if your slide numbers are different than mine! You do not have to have the questions on your slides - I'm looking for your responses.
  1. Slide 7. Please review and evaluate your Quarter 1 Assessment videos. Reflect on and answer the following questions (you can copy and paste the following questions, or copy and paste the slide I have hyperlinked here):
    1. After watching your videos, what score would you give yourself on this assessment, and why?
    2. Give yourself two positive pieces of feedback and two constructive pieces of feedback.
      1. Positive:
      2. Positive:
      3. Constructive:
      4. Constructive:
    3. Of all of the skills assessed in Quarter 1, 
      1. which one was the most difficult for you? and why?
      2. which one were you the most confident about? and why?
    4. Which specific skills or movements do you need more focus or growth in? Why do you think so?
  2. Slide 8. Please review your flexibility picture(s). Reflect on and answer the following questions (you can copy and paste the following questions, or copy and paste the slide I have hyperlinked here):
    1. What stretches have been the most beneficial to you this year? How have they helped?
    2. Do you think you are more flexible now than you were at the beginning of the year? How do you know?
    3. What other parts of your body need more flexibility? Do a Google search or brainstorm to find more ways to stretch those areas. List 3-5 stretches below.
      1. For example, backbends would help us create more mobility in our backs.
  3. Slide 9. Please review your Ballet Choreography video. Reflect on and answer the following questions (you can copy and paste the following questions, or copy and paste the slide I have hyperlinked here):
    1. After watching your videos, what score would you give yourself on this assessment, and why?
    2. Give yourself and your group two positive pieces of feedback and two constructive pieces of feedback.
      1. Positive (self):
      2. Positive (group):
      3. Constructive (self):
      4. Constructive (group):
    3. How did you work as a team? List your strengths and areas for improvement in 3-5 sentences.
    4. Evaluate your technique and turnout as you danced. Provide 3-5 sentences about how you did (or did not) following basic ballet procedures like turnout, arm/feet placement, proper stance, etc.
    5. What does your group need to do the next time for a even more successful performance?

Friday, October 3, 2014

Lab Directions

Hello students! We'll be working on our portfolios again today to see our progress so far this year!

To set up the portfolio, follow the directions on the blog post from August 21, 2014

You should have the following four slides completed already: title slide, table of contents, class mission, and individual goal. If these slides are not finished, please work on these first. More complete directions are below the new instructions.

Only for those finished with the first four slides:
  1. Slide 5. Please review your storytelling video. And reflect on the following questions: 
    1. What story did your group represent through movement?
    2. What was your role in the group? Were you a leader, active participant, idea generator?
    3. Which element of dance (Body, Action, Space, Time or Energy) did your group use best to demonstrate the story? How?
    4. Which section or movement in the storytelling best demonstrated an aspect or part of the story?
  2. Slide 6. Please reflect on your growth so far this year. Use pictures (and limited words) to describe what strengths you have developed in dance since the beginning of the year?
Slides 1-4 Instructions
  1. Download Google Chrome through Launchy.
  2. Sign in to Gmail.
  3. Create slides for the portfolio.
    1. Slide 1 - Title Slide
      1. This should be a reflection of who you are. I want to see a snapshot of our life. You can use personal photos or images from the Internet. Aim for at least 15 images.
    2. Slide 2
      1. Table of Contents
        1. You can leave this slide blank for now. We will fill it in as the year continues. To start, you could list:
          1. Slide 3 - Class Mission
          2. Slide 4 - Class Goals
    3. Slide 3
      1. Class Mission
        1. Please copy and paste your class's mission to your slide (add a picture!)
          1. 2nd HourThe purpose of 2nd hour Theatre Dance is to learn different styles of dance in a nonjudgmental and safe environment. While learning, we hope to have fun, gain confidence, and be a source of entertainment to our classmates!
          2. 3rd HourThe purpose of 3rd hour Theatre Dance is to learn different styles of dance by providing a positive and fun environment. Together, we will be open minded, determined, and confident.
          3. 4th HourThe awesome class of fourth hour has a mission to create a judgment free zone full of individuals not afraid to be themselves, because "ourselves" are pretty awesome. We need to aim to be respectful and always love Miss Davis. Also, we need to always have fun and we all know that wont be hard.
          4. 6th HourWithin a non-judgmental environment, if we stay determined and positive, we can become a productive team.
          5. 7th HourThe purpose of 7th hour theatre dance is to express ourselves through movement in a positive, non-judgmental, and encouraging environment. We will be patient, respectful, open-minded, cooperative, and supportive of each other!
    4. Slide 4
      1. Individual goal 
        1. Write your goal(s) for the year on this slide.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Digital Portfolio Instructions

Hello students!

Today, we are creating digital portfolios for Theatre Dance! If you have a Gmail account, you can skip to the second step. We will use these portfolios to track and reflect on our progress throughout the school year.


Make sure that you are working in Google Chrome (type Chrome in Launchy).
  1. Create a Gmail account.
    1. Type in gmail.com to the address bar.
    2. In the top right, click Create An Account.
    3. Fill in the information, and click next step.
    4. If needed, verify your account with a text message sent to your phone.
  2. Create digital portfolio (Video instruction).
    1. Make sure you are signed into Google.
    2. Click the 9 boxes at the top right of your gmail screen.
    3. Select Drive.
    4. On the left side of the screen, click Create > Presentation
    5. A new window will appear.  You can choose your theme now, or you can change it later.
    6. Change the title of the document to the class period you are in, your last name, and "Portfolio."
      1.  For example, if I were in first hour and my last name were Smith, mine would read 1.Smith.Portfolio
    7. Share the presentation with me.
      1. Click the blue Share button in the top right.
      2. Under Add People, type rpstheatredance@gmail.com
      3. Then click Done.
  3. Create slides for the portfolio.
    1. Slide 1 - Title Slide
      1. This should be a reflection of who you are. I want to see a snapshot of our life. You can use personal photos or images from the Internet. Aim for at least 15 images.
    2. Slide 2
      1. Table of Contents
        1. You can leave this slide blank for now. We will fill it in as the year continues. To start, you could list:
          1. Slide 3 - Class Mission
          2. Slide 4 - Class Goals
    3. Slide 3
      1. Class Mission
        1. RHS - we haven't created ours yet, but we will soon.
        2. HHS - Please copy and paste your class's mission to your slide (add a picture!)
          1. 6th Hour - Within a non-judgmental environment, if we stay determined and positive, we can become a productive team.
          2. 7th Hour - The purpose of 7th hour theatre dance is to express ourselves through movement in a positive, non-judgmental, and encouraging environment. We will be patient, respectful, open-minded, cooperative, and supportive of each other!
    4. Slide 4
      1. Individual goal 
        1. Write your goal(s) for the year on this slide.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Welcome to Theatre Dance!

Hello!

Welcome to another year of Theatre Dance! I'm so excited to begin this school year with so many new and familiar faces! This year, I'll be teaching Theatre Dance at RHS hours 2-4 and at HHS hours 6-7. 

Here is the syllabus.  Students should have a paper copy of this, which you can fill out the last page in paper or online. The survey is embedded at the bottom of this post.

RHS-I won't be there on Monday due to a schedule conflict, but I'll be there on Tuesday!

Here are the Remind101 codes for my classes. Make sure you enroll in the correct class hour!

  • 2: Text @2tdance14 to (479) 668-3218
  • 3: Text @3tdance14 to (479) 668-3218
  • 4: Text @4tdance14 to (479) 668-3218
  • 6: Text @6tdance14 to (479) 668-3218
  • 7: Text @7tdance14 to (479) 668-3218


We're starting the year with over 100 students! We have grown so much in just one year. There were 70 students who participated in our 2014 Theatre Dance Recital, "Raising the Barre." You can check out the videos from the dance recital here. Here's an article from the paper about our program.



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Gearing up for 2014-2015

I am so excited to begin another year of Theatre Dance in Rogers Public Schools! Last year was such a great success, and we learned about the styles, history, and cultures of many types of dance. 

Some of my favorite parts of Theatre Dance last year were the first day that everyone dressed out in their new dance clothes, the entire modern unit, preparing for and performing in our first ever dance recital, and the cultural dance unit. Every class blew me away with their personalities, talents, and growth over the entire year. 

Here's a YouTube montage of some great moments from last year!



Next year, we'll be discovering the basics of movement in Theatre Dance I. In Theatre Dance II, we'll build on our skills that we developed in year one, and we'll continue to learn new styles and skills. I'm so excited about what 2014-2015 has to offer!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

End of the Year: Lab Instructions

We've almost made it through our first year of Theatre Dance! How exciting!

Before you go, there are a few things that we need to finish:
  1. Portfolios
  2. Objectives
  3. End of year survey
  4. Final exam
    1. Solo, or
    2. Presentation
Portfolios
First, we have the portfolios. Make sure that you have completed everything. I will give you a slip of paper to let you know what is unfinished on your portofolio. That's what you should work on first.

Then, I want you to create a slide that I could show Theatre Dance students next year. This slide should have a lot of pictures and minimal words. I want it to be a reflection of the best parts of Theatre Dance this year.

Objectives
Show me your objectives! I have uploaded a document that you can fill out by working with a student who has already submitted theirs. 

End of Year Survey
Please fill out the survey about Theatre Dance so that we can make Theatre Dance I an even better class! Thank y'all so much for a wonderful year!


Final Exam
Option 1: Solo Performance
Choreograph an original solo to perform for the class on the final exam date. You can choose any style of dance to create a minimum of :45 routine. If you want to choreograph over 1:15, please let me know prior to the final exam date.

Option 2: Portfolio Presentation
Organize a speech with three main points about concepts or lessons that you can apply to your future. This speech should be between 3-6 minutes, and you should highlight different pieces from your portfolio to show the class.

Detailed rubrics to come! 

Monday, May 12, 2014

Dance Genre Project Recap

What a fun project! I was so impressed by all of these students who lead us through all sorts of genres of dance!

Each student or small group was in charge of an entire class period to teach us about the history and culture of a dance genre. Then, they used their skills and experience to teach us the basic moves and some choreography of their style of dance. We had a little sample of so many different and wonderful dances! I think we have some future dance teachers out there!! Y'all are so impressive!


Here is a word cloud of all of our genres!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Dance Genre Project

Over the next few days, you will become an expert on a certain style or genre of dance! This can be anything that we have not yet studied in class.  Do some research as to what your top three choices would be.  Write me an email with your preferred choices with 1 being the top choice and 3 being your last choice.  Also, tell me who you are working with.
After you have done this, confirm with me what style of dance you will be researching.  You will construct a teaching outline that you will use when you teach the class.  Please see the following documents.

Student Chosen Genre
Teaching outline rubric

Teaching outline template
  • File > Make a Copy of the document and Rename as your hour.last names.teaching outline
    • For example, if Angelina Jolie were in my first hour class, she would title her document 1.Jolie.Teaching Outline
  • Share the document with me: rhs.ocfd@gmail.com and rhs.theatredance@gmail.com or hhs.theatredance@gmail.com
  • Begin working on outline.  Please review the rubric/sample before beginning.

Teaching outline sample
Teaching outline presentation

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Raising the Barre - April 6

Come see Raising the Barre this Sunday, April 6, at 2:00pm in the RHS Auditorium!  Theatre Dance students from RHS and HHS will perform a total of 12 numbers ranging from lyrical, hip hop, jazz, and modern.  

Any tickets from the original March 16 performance date will be honored at the door.  Tickets can be purchased at the door, and they are $5.  RPS faculty/staff and students under 12 are free (donations accepted). All proceeds benefit student scholarships!

Check out the article from Rogers Morning News from March 27 and the new Facebook invite!



Friday, March 21, 2014

Lab Directions

Our t shirts are in!  Please bring $9 for yours!

Directions for your lab day:
  1. Download Google Chrome.
  2. Log into Gmail/Drive.
  3. Open your portfolio.
    1. If you have forgotten your name/password or you cannot find your portfolio, notify me immediately.
  4. Scroll through to see if there are any missing assignments.  You should have the following completed:
    1. Title page
    2. Table of contents
    3. Class mission
    4. Individual goal
    5. Q1 videos
    6. Q1 Reflection
    7. Lyrical video
    8. Lyrical reflection
    9. Choreographer profile
    10. Modern video
    11. Modern reflection
    12. Rehearsal videos (to be completed today)
    13. Rehearsal reflection (to be completed today)
  5. Now, watch your classes videos twice.  The first time, you can watch yourself or individual dancers.  The second time, I want you to watch the class as a whole.
    1. Daft Punk 
    2. Feeling Good
    3. Radioactive, Love Me Again, War Paint
    4. Feel Again
  6. Copy the links to your Google Presentation.
    1. Copy the YouTube URL (ctrl + c)
    2. Go to your portfolio > Insert > Video.
    3. A box will appear.  On the left, select URL and then paste the YouTube URL (ctrl + v).  You cannot right click in Google Drive. Click okay.
    4. Resize the video as necessary.
  7. Answer the following questions:
    1. What was your overall impression of the dress rehearsal on Saturday, March 15?
    2. How would you evaluate your performance at the dress rehearsal? Your class's performance?
    3. In the recorded video of the student led dance, what were two of your strengths and two areas for improvement?
    4. In the recorded video of the instructor led dance, what were two of your strengths and two areas for improvement?
    5. What do you need to do before our performance in April?
    6. What does the class need to focus on before our performance in April?

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Raising the Barre postponed to April 6

Unfortunately, our March 16 performance of Raising the Barre was postponed due to the threat of winter weather.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

We have rescheduled the performance for Sunday, April 6 at 2:00pm at the RHS Auditorium.  The tickets from the March 16 show will be redeemable at this show, so please hold on to your tickets!

Thanks for the support, and we will see you on April 6!

Any questions or concerns can be directed to Liz Davis via edavis@rps.k12.ar.us.


We had such a great rehearsal on Saturday, March 15.  They have a great show for y'all!

Monday, March 3, 2014

Raising the Barre

Rogers Heritage High School and Rogers High School Theatre Dance Classes proudly present the first ever Theatre Dance Production, "Raising the Barre"! The performance will showcase two numbers from each class and a few small group numbers. Please support the program by attending the performance on Sunday, March 16 at 2:00pm in the RHS Auditorium. Doors will open at 1:30pm.

Tickets are $5.00 and free or students under 12 (donations accepted). Tickets can be purchased from a Theatre Dance student, during lunch, or at the door. All proceeds benefit student scholarships.

For more information, contact Liz Davis at edavis@rps.k12.ar.us



Link to Facebook Invite Please share this event on Facebook!




Thank you Ashley Crespo for the art design (and happy birthday!)

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Rehearsal Videos

Hello students!

The show is quickly approaching, and with the threat of winter weather, I wanted to make sure you had the links to rehearse if we are not in school.  

Here is a folder of the music for the show.

I've attached playlists for each of the classes, which starts with student directed choreography and then teacher directed choreography.  There are some sections of my dances that are not filmed, but I will get those filmed once we return to school.  If there were any choreography notes, I have also posted those below!

Third Hour
Feeling Good Notes


Fourth Hour
Radioactive Notes
Feel Again Notes


Sixth Hour
Take Me Out Notes
Wicked Games Notes


Seventh Hour
Team Notes - Girls and Boys | Hip Hop/Jazz
Float On Notes

Monday, February 24, 2014

Program Advertisements

Hello!

Looking to show support for the Rogers Public Schools Theatre Dance Classes?  Please consider purchasing an advertisement for the program that will be handed out during our production on Sunday, March 16 at 2:00pm at the RHS Auditorium.

You can find any Theatre Dance student at either RHS or HHS to fill out the form, or you can submit your information online.

Here is a link to the Advertisement Sizes.
Here is a link to the Advertisement Paper Form.

Below is a form that you can fill out, and it will be delivered straight to the Theatre Dance Director, Liz Davis.  You can always email her with questions at edavis@rps.k12.ar.us!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Sign up for Theatre Dance I & II

It's time to begin signing up for classes at Rogers and Heritage High Schools!  If you're looking for a fun and active class, you should take Theatre Dance!  In Theatre Dance, we learn different styles of movement, develop skills, increase flexibility, and choreograph dances.  So far this year, we've studied ballet, lyrical, musical theatre, and modern.  During the spring, we'll spend some more time learning about different cultures' dances like bachata, nortenas, salsa, African, etc.  

If you've already taken Theatre Dance I, let me sign your enrollment sheet for Theatre Dance II!  Or if you have experience with the listed styles above, you can audition with me to go straight into Theatre Dance II.

Email edavis@rps.k12.ar.us with questions. 

Come see our production at RHS on Sunday, March 16 at 2:00pm! 


Monday, January 27, 2014

Rehearsal Links

Hello!

RHS rehearsal videos can be viewed on the RHS Theatre Dance channel.

HHS rehearsal videos can be viewed on the HHS Theatre Dance channel.

Thanks!
ld

Friday, January 17, 2014

Small Group/Solo Audtion Results

Thank you so much to everyone who auditioned for the solo and small group performances for the first annual Theatre Dance production.  This was a very difficult decision to make for the judges.  You all should be proud of the work that you presented!

Alex
Jessica
Sage/Madi
Tania

Each week, I'll ask to see more of your dance until the performance.  Great job, y'all!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Practice Videos for Theatre Dance

Hello all!

Below are the videos after our first day of in-class rehearsals led by our dance captains!  You all did a fabulous job.  Up to date RHS videos can be found here.  Up to date HHS videos can be found here.

3rd Hour 

4th Hour 

6th Hour

7th Hour


Monday, January 6, 2014

Thursday/Friday Instructions

Hello all!

First, please fill out the survey about the Dance Captain Choreography.  Then, continue with the rest of the instructions.


Congratulations, Dance Captains!
3rd Hour - Esther Atkinson
4th Hour - Rebecca Daniel, Anna McCoy, Molly Revior
6th Hour - Jessica Jobst, Alex Olsen
7th Hour - Tania Hernandez


You will receive a score for completion in Quarter 2, and you will receive a score for the quality of your work during Quarter 3.  Please be sure to complete quality work.  Here is the rubric for your portfolio.

Everyone continue here!

  1. Download and open Google Chrome.
  2. Log into your gmail (if you forgot your username, email me or have a friend email me rhs.ocfd@gmail.com - I'll get it and email you back ASAP, but do it at the beginning of class).
  3. You should have received a slip of paper detailing which items in your portfolio are incomplete.  If something is highlighted, then it is incomplete.  These should be your focus areas for the next two days in the lab.  
  4. Go to your drive, but clicking on the 9 boxes at the top right of screen or type in drive.google.com
  5. Find your Portfolio and open it.
  6. Below, you should be able to find directions for each of the parts of the portfolio.  You will have to scroll to find each part.
Directions:

Friday, January 3, 2014

Audition Information for the Spring Concert

What a great first semester of Theatre Dance!  It is so wonderful to create movement and work with this motivated group of students.  They have impressed me so much, and I cannot wait to see what the Spring semester brings!

There are two auditions coming up in the first two weeks of school.  One is for the Class Dance Captain role, and the other is for any small group or individual audition for the performance.

The Rogers Public School Dance Concert is on Sunday, March 2, 2014.  The dress rehearsal, which will be closed to the public, is on Saturday, March 1, 2014.  Please save these dates.  More information will follow as we approach our performance.



Dance Captain Auditions

Thank you for your interest in being a dance captain for your Theatre Dance class.  This position is a very important role!  You will be responsible for creating and teaching your choreography to the class.  Therefore, you must keep some things in mind as you choreograph:
- what are the strengths of the class?
- what are the weaknesses of the class?
- how many people are in the class?
- how can we apply the skills that we have learned this year to this dance?
- is the language and content of the song appropriate for all viewers?
- how can cheap costumes be incorporated into this piece?
- will you be present in class the majority of the 3rd quarter?  can you accept this job and complete it?

Auditions for Dance Captain will be Monday, January 6 during class.  The instructor and the students in the class will evaluate your performance and vote for the dance captain.  You will need the following for your performance.
- :30 - :60 seconds choreographed (the more you have the better)
- music that you could play on a stereo (CD or music player should be fine)
- explanation of what you envision for the rest of the performance
- ideas for cheap costumes (aim for about $5 per person)
- ability to answer questions about your leadership style, ideas for teaching, etc.





Small Group Auditions

Thank you for your interest in being in a small group number in the first ever Theatre Dance production!  I am so excited to be able to showcase your skills and talents!  Although you only have to audition with a portion of your dance, I will request that each week you show me more of the completed dance.  I reserve the right to pull your number from the show if it does not progress at a rate ready for the performance on March 2.

Auditions for small group numbers will be on Monday, January 13 during class.  These will be recorded for a panel of judges to evaluate.  We will make a decision by Friday.  If you want to audition with someone from another class, set up a time with me.  For your audition, you will need the following:
- :30 - :60 seconds choreographed (the more you have the better)
- music that you could play on a stereo (CD or music player should be fine)
- explanation of what you envision for the rest of the performance

- ideas for costumes