Grade 9 Students Dance!

This semester marks the first time Grade 9 students are participating in a dance unit in PE. When the unit was first introduced, the room filled with dramatic reactions of “Ohhh noooo!” However, those groans quickly turned into laughter—and, dare we say it, joy—as students began exploring movement, music, and creativity together. 

Ninth graders are currently halfway through this PE unit, which will culminate in a student-created group dance. For their final project, students will choreograph and perform a routine for their peers and teachers, showcasing their creativity, teamwork, and willingness to step outside their comfort zones. To lay the groundwork, the unit began with students exploring various dance styles. 

Building on this introduction, students first learned structured dances such as salsa, hip-hop, and ballet. Since we are not classically trained in ballet or hip-hop, we invited talented upperclassmen from the dance team to teach fundamental steps and guide routines. This gave ninth graders the opportunity to learn directly from their peers while also allowing the dance team members to take on leadership roles. It was fantastic to see the upperclassmen guide the ninth graders to success in both dance styles, and many students were pleasantly surprised by how much they improved. 

In addition to learning these styles, students also explored key choreographic elements, including synchronization, direction, levels, energy, formations, and patterns. These tools will help them design and refine their own group routines. 

As a result of this foundation, groups are now well on their way to creating entertaining, creative performances. Next week, students will participate in peer review and feedback sessions before their final performances just before the parent-teacher conferences. We are excited to see our students’ creativity and personalities shine as they take the stage with their groups.