PE/Fine Arts Course Descriptions
Orchesis: A group of students that share a passion for dance. Students meet everyday during 8th period. Acceptance into the Orchesis program is through audition only. Auditions are held in the spring for the following year. All freshmen, sophomores and juniors are encouraged to audition. While prior dance experience is helpful, it is not necessary. After acceptance in the group students are given rigorous technique classes. This group of distinguished talented students is well known throughout the community and state of Illinois. Students in the Orchesis program will not only become trained dancers and choreographers, but also develop time management, leadership skills, maturity, and appreciation for the arts.
The course units’ cover dance techniques/etiquette, choreography, yoga, gymnastics, physical fitness, and performance/audition skills. Orchesis also meets after school as a performing dance ensemble. The dancers perform throughout the year. Performances include our community travel show, Homecoming Coronation, Holiday Assembly, Variety Show, our annual show, District 214 Concert, Illinois State Dance Festival, Japanese Exchange Concert, and other various performances. Orchesis provides dancers with performance opportunities and seeks to provide a supportive environment that challenges their creativity to broaden their view of art.
Grading for Orchesis:
40% Units of Study; 30% Daily Participation; 20% Written Assignments; 10% Final Exam
Dance Units:
Dance Workshops:
Performances:
Written Assignments:
Physical Education Units:
Dance I: 08550
Dance I is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors. While prior dance experience may be helpful, it is not necessary. This course serves as an introduction to dance as an art form as well as a lifetime leisure experience. Students experience units in jazz, modern, ballet and ethnic dance, as well as dance choreography. Students work in small groups to choreograph their own dance at the end of the semester. Through their participation in Dance I, students not only learn beginning dance technique in three areas, but begin to develop self-confidence, self direction, social interaction and their own creativity.
Dance II: 08560
Dance II is open to all students who have successfully completed Dance I. Dance II focuses on dance technique and choreographic theories at the intermediate level. Jazz, modern and ballet skills at the intermediate level are taught with the emphasis focusing on the development of the student's choreographic abilities. During the course, the class performs a mini-concert, which showcases their talents.
Dance III: 08540
Dance III is open to all students who have successfully completed Dance I and II. Dance III focuses on the continuation of dance technique, choreographic theories and performance skills at the intermediate to advanced level. The class emphasis is on developing performance skills along side dance techniques. During the course the class performs a mini concert, which showcases their talents.
Grading for Dance I, II, III:
40% Units of Study; 30% Daily Assignments; 20% Written Assignments; 10% Final Exam
Dance Units:
Units/Performances/Written Assignments:
Teacher/Director Contact:
lisette.rodriguez@d214.org (Teacher/Artistic Director)
Dance I/II/III Teachers Contact:
lisette.rodriguez@d214.org
The course units’ cover dance techniques/etiquette, choreography, yoga, gymnastics, physical fitness, and performance/audition skills. Orchesis also meets after school as a performing dance ensemble. The dancers perform throughout the year. Performances include our community travel show, Homecoming Coronation, Holiday Assembly, Variety Show, our annual show, District 214 Concert, Illinois State Dance Festival, Japanese Exchange Concert, and other various performances. Orchesis provides dancers with performance opportunities and seeks to provide a supportive environment that challenges their creativity to broaden their view of art.
Grading for Orchesis:
40% Units of Study; 30% Daily Participation; 20% Written Assignments; 10% Final Exam
Dance Units:
- Ballet Technique
- Jazz Technique
- Hip Hop Technique
- Modern Technique
- Choreography Presentation
- Contact Improvisation
- Homecoming Activities
- Holiday Dances (Halloween, Christmas)
- Cultural Dances
- Yoga
- So/Jun/Sen MC Production
- Mock Audition
- Cross Training
- Gymnastics
Dance Workshops:
- Lighting
- Make Up
- Costuming
- Sewing
- Choreography
- Partnering
Performances:
- Artist in Residence Performance
- Homecoming Coronation
- Holiday Assembly Performance
- Annual Performance
- District 214 Performance
- Variety Show
- Travel Show
- Japanese Exchange Performance
- Illinois High School Dance Festival Performance
Written Assignments:
- Choreography Project
- Dance Critique Papers
- Senior Resumé
Physical Education Units:
- Swimming
- Fitness Testing
Dance I: 08550
Dance I is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors. While prior dance experience may be helpful, it is not necessary. This course serves as an introduction to dance as an art form as well as a lifetime leisure experience. Students experience units in jazz, modern, ballet and ethnic dance, as well as dance choreography. Students work in small groups to choreograph their own dance at the end of the semester. Through their participation in Dance I, students not only learn beginning dance technique in three areas, but begin to develop self-confidence, self direction, social interaction and their own creativity.
Dance II: 08560
Dance II is open to all students who have successfully completed Dance I. Dance II focuses on dance technique and choreographic theories at the intermediate level. Jazz, modern and ballet skills at the intermediate level are taught with the emphasis focusing on the development of the student's choreographic abilities. During the course, the class performs a mini-concert, which showcases their talents.
Dance III: 08540
Dance III is open to all students who have successfully completed Dance I and II. Dance III focuses on the continuation of dance technique, choreographic theories and performance skills at the intermediate to advanced level. The class emphasis is on developing performance skills along side dance techniques. During the course the class performs a mini concert, which showcases their talents.
Grading for Dance I, II, III:
40% Units of Study; 30% Daily Assignments; 20% Written Assignments; 10% Final Exam
Dance Units:
- Ballet Technique
- Jazz Technique
- Modern Technique
- Intro to Choreography
- Holiday Dances (Halloween, Christmas)
- Homecoming Activities
- Hip Hop Technique
- Musical Theatre
- Choreography Presentation
- Improvisation
- Gymnastics
Units/Performances/Written Assignments:
- Ballet Technique
- Jazz Technique
- Modern Technique
- Intro to Choreography
- Holiday Dances (Halloween, Christmas)
- Homecoming Activities
- Hip Hop Technique
- Musical Theatre
- Choreography Presentation
- Improvisation
- Yoga
Teacher/Director Contact:
lisette.rodriguez@d214.org (Teacher/Artistic Director)
Dance I/II/III Teachers Contact:
lisette.rodriguez@d214.org