Hello Parents,

In February, we began learning the basics of contemporary and modern dance. We all focused on moves that included lunges, floor stretches, passé balances, full arabesques, and different types of rolls on the mat. The students also participated in yoga warmups to help stretch and strengthen their muscles. 

On Valentine’s Day, the Pre-K through 3rd graders had fun learning a dance to the song “Put a Little Love In Your Heart” by Dolly Parton. In addition, this month they worked on improv dancing, which allowed them to be creative and practice their musicality. 

The 4th through 8th graders were taught how to do stag jumps and barrel turns, as well as the difference between having a straight and contracted back. Also, the older students learned a mirror partner exercise which involved trying to match a partner’s timing and moves while challenging each other to think more creatively. 

Miss Sara

Hello Parents,

During January, we expanded our musical theatre dance knowledge and skills by learning moves such as leaps, piqués, échappés, tendu arabesque, and jazz hands. We also discussed stage terminology, including how to determine stage right, stage left, center stage, downstage, upstage, and off stage. Additionally, all the students learned the school choice video dance which was a good challenge for everyone.

To put some of our new moves and terms into practice, the pre-K through 5th graders were taught dances to Seussical the Musical’s “Green Eggs and Ham” and Shrek the Musical’s “Freak Flag.” These songs gave students the opportunity to pick characters that they wanted to portray along with dancing.

For the 5th through 8th graders, we spent some time this month focusing on conditioning and dance therapy techniques, such as ankle strengthening exercises, proper alignment when landing jumps, and rolling out our muscles with tennis and golf balls. Also, the students were taught a dance to the song “I Need You” by Jon Baptist where we worked on specificity and sharpness which is important in musical theatre dance.

Miss Sara

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Hello Parents,

For the month of December, we started studying musical theatre dance, which is a combination of dancing and acting. Some new moves that the students explored were jazz squares, step touches, heel digs, relevés, and spring points. We also played a few acting games, including animal charades for the younger students and a team object-building one for the older students.

Beyond fun moves and games, the Pre-K and K through 3rd graders learned a musical theatre dance to Mary Poppins’ “A Spoonful of Sugar” and Aladdin’s “A Friend Like Me,” while the 4th through 8th graders learned parts of dances to the musical theatre songs “A Brand New You” and “Steam Train.” 

With the holiday season upon us, two classes finished and practiced the choreography for their holiday performances. Also, the week before our break, all of the students learned dances to holiday songs, including “Believe” by Josh Groban for the younger classes and “White Christmas” by Michael Bublé for the older ones.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break!

Miss Sara

Hello Parents!

During the month of November, all the students continued to explore the technique and terminology of ballet and jazz dance, adding moves such as port de bras, head rolls, and jazz hands to their skills. We also challenged ourselves and each other through core strength and balance contests, which sparked some friendly competition. These contests included holding planks and balancing in a passé position without wobbling.

In addition to new moves and contests, the 4th-8th graders were introduced to swing dancing. This dance experience called for lots of precision, good timing, and high energy movements with a partner. Some classes also started collaborating on and learning choreography for their holiday show performances.

To get in the Thanksgiving spirit, the Pre-K and K through 1st grade students worked on movement memorization and rhythms while moving and dancing to the song “If You’re Thankful and You Know It.” We also talked about what we were grateful for, which for many included their friends and family.

Looking forward to sharing more with you soon,

Miss Sara

Hello Parents,

I’m Miss Sara and I’m excited to be teaching dance to the students of Plato Academy!

In October, we started exploring the basics of ballet and jazz. All of the students learned numerous moves and terminology, along with how to warm up and stretch before dancing. Everyone was introduced to first and second position, pliés, tendus, dégagés, sautés, grand battements and chassés. We also learned about good posture, balancing on one leg, and the difference between a flexed and pointed foot.

Beyond all the shared adventures in dance, the Pre-K and K through 1st grade students specifically worked on marching skills and counting music while the 1st through 3rd graders concentrated on marching and skipping. The 4th through 8th graders and some 3rd graders went even further and learned chaîné turns, pirouette preparations, and a hitch kick.

For Halloween, the students had fun learning dances that I had choreographed to songs that included the “Addams Family Theme” song, “Spooky Scary Skeletons,” and for the older students, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” which included learning to moonwalk.

Looking forward to sharing more with you soon,

Miss Sara