Study Guide
Field 178: Dance
Test Design and Framework
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The test design below describes general assessment information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.
Test Design
*Does not include 15-minute C B T tutorial
Test Framework
Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.
| subareas | range of competencies | approximate percentage of test | |
|---|---|---|---|
| selected-response | |||
| roman numeral 1 | dance as an artistic and kinesthetic experience | 0001–0004 | 30 percent |
| roman numeral 2 | dance as a social, cultural, and theatrical experience | 0005–0007 | 20 percent |
| roman numeral 3 | dance as an educational experience | 0008–0011 | 35 percent |
| this cell intentionally left blank. | 85 percent | ||
| subareas | range of competencies | approximate percentage of test | |
|---|---|---|---|
| constructed-response | |||
| roman numeral 4 | pedagogical content knowledge | 0012 | 15 percent |
Subarea roman numeral 1–Dance as an Artistic and Kinesthetic Experience
Competency 0001–Apply knowledge of basic movement elements, concepts, and skills for creative movement and dance.
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- Apply knowledge of movement elements related to body, space, and relationship (e.g., actions, shape, level, pathway, focus, proximity, grouping).
- Apply knowledge of movement elements related to energy and time (e.g., force, dynamics, weight, flow, tempo, accent, phrasing).
- Apply knowledge of locomotor movements (e.g., walk, run, hop, leap, jump, skip, slide, gallop) and nonlocomotor movements (e.g., bend, stretch, twist, swing).
- Apply knowledge of the concepts of rhythm and musicality (e.g., pulse, pattern, syncopation, polyrhythm, meter).
- Apply knowledge of processes and sequences important to the development and mastery of technical skills in various forms of dance (e.g., exercises; self-evaluation; observation; the development of alignment, stamina, agility, mental discipline, and performance skills).
- Apply knowledge of creative movement strategies and practices (e.g., role-playing, imagination, storytelling, play, improvisation).
Competency 0002–Apply knowledge of human anatomy, kinesiology, and fitness.
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- Apply knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and kinesiological principles of movement to dance activities (e.g., alignment, body mechanics, stages of human development, kinesthetic development).
- Apply knowledge of principles and practices of physical conditioning that promote focus, flexibility, muscular strength, agility, motor-skills development, coordination, body awareness, control, balance, and use of breath.
- Apply knowledge of safe movement practices, including the prevention and care of dance injuries (e.g., proper warm-up and cool-down activities, technical development, injury prevention and rehabilitation).
- Apply knowledge of basic health and nutritional practices that promote personal health and the ways in which dance activities support wellness (e.g., promoting the release of stress and tension, positive self-esteem, and weight control).
- Analyze how proper skeletal alignment and body mechanics apply to efficient movement and the development of technical skills in a variety of dance forms.
Competency 0003–Apply knowledge of choreographic principles, structures, and processes.
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- Apply knowledge of the basic compositional elements (e.g., space, time, energy, dynamics, phrasing, musicality, expression, context) of choreography.
- Analyze the use of principles of artistic design (e.g., unity, repetition, contrast, variation, climax) and forms of spatial organization.
- Apply knowledge of choreographic forms and structures (e.g., motif, phrase, AB, rondo, canon, theme and variation, representational and nonrepresentational).
- Analyze the use of strategies for generating movement ideas and solving movement problems, including improvisation, abstraction, and creative exploration.
- Apply knowledge of sources for generating choreographic ideas (e.g., music, literature, visual art, environment, gestures, emotions).
- Apply knowledge of how musical and multimedia accompaniment, lighting, costumes, sets, and props contribute to the integration of choreographic concepts.
Competency 0004–Analyze dance as a way to create and communicate meaning.
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- Apply appropriate terminology (e.g., aesthetic concepts and technical vocabulary) in the description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of dance.
- Analyze how ideas and emotions are expressed in dance (e.g., movement choices, movement qualities, dynamics, gestures).
- Analyze the characteristics, uses, and effects of choreographic structure, expressive features (e.g., narrative, symbol, abstraction), and thematic development and sequence in dance.
- Analyze production factors that influence choreographic choices and contribute to the expression of intent and meaning in dance (e.g., performance space, accompaniment, dancers, audience, budget, time).
- Evaluate dance from varied perspectives (e.g., choreographer, dancer, audience member) and analyze the effects of individual and cultural experience on the interpretation of dance.
Subarea roman numeral 2–Dance as a Social, Cultural, and Theatrical Experience
Competency 0005–Apply knowledge of the history and characteristics of major forms of concert and theatrical dance.
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- Apply knowledge of the history of major concert and theatrical dance forms (e.g., ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tap, musical theater), including the identification and analysis of historical periods, major stylistic traditions, and the contributions of significant artists.
- Apply knowledge of distinguishing aesthetic characteristics, techniques, movement patterns, movement vocabulary, and conceptual skills used in creating, performing, describing, and interpreting various styles of concert and theatrical dance.
Competency 0006–Apply knowledge of the history and characteristics of major forms of participatory, theatrical, and traditional dance globally.
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- Apply knowledge of the history of major participatory, traditional, and social dance forms (e.g., Native American, African, Southeast Asian, European, North American, Latin American, Mexican), including the identification and analysis of historical periods, major stylistic traditions, and the contributions of significant artists.
- Apply knowledge of distinguishing aesthetic characteristics, techniques, movement patterns, movement vocabulary, and conceptual skills used in creating, performing, describing, and interpreting various styles of participatory and traditional dance.
- Apply knowledge of global dance forms in a theatrical setting (e.g., Chinese classical, Indian classical, Japanese classical, Irish step).
Competency 0007–Analyze the relationship between dance and culture.
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- Analyze and compare dance techniques, styles, and traditions from various cultures and historical periods.
- Analyze the role and function of dance and movement (e.g., ritual, expression of ideas and emotions, entertainment) in various cultures and historical periods.
- Analyze how dance is related to and influenced by society, culture, and politics in various cultures and historical periods, including the ways technology and societal changes have influenced dance.
Subarea roman numeral 3–Dance as an Educational Experience
Competency 0008–Apply knowledge of the foundations of dance education and strategies required of the professional dance educator.
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- Demonstrate understanding of the philosophical foundations of dance education, including significant trends, values, and schools of thought in dance education.
- Apply knowledge of ways to provide a safe physical environment and create a setting for productive learning that respects diversity and holds all individuals in high regard.
- Solve problems using skills and knowledge of a variety of dance resources, including community resources, materials, equipment, facilities, and technology.
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective methods for collaborating with colleagues, artists, and agencies in the community to promote arts education opportunities.
Competency 0009–Apply knowledge of human physical, cognitive, affective, and aesthetic development to dance and dance learning.
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- Apply knowledge of the development of motor skills and kinesthetic awareness.
- Apply knowledge of stages of cognitive and affective development.
- Apply knowledge of the development of aesthetic awareness and expression.
- Apply knowledge of instructional strategies and methods for providing developmentally appropriate and inclusive learning experiences in dance.
Competency 0010–Apply knowledge of the use of creative and critical thinking skills in dance and dance learning.
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- Apply knowledge of the processes of critical thinking, analysis, reflection, decision making, and creative exploration in creating, performing, and responding to dance movement and dance works.
- Analyze a variety of strategies for creating, selecting, and refining movement ideas and solving a given movement problem.
- Apply knowledge of methods for and benefits of revising a dance project over time.
- Analyze and interpret criteria used to evaluate one's own work and that of others.
Competency 0011–Analyze the connections between dance and other art forms and the integration of dance into other areas of the academic curriculum.
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- Analyze similarities and differences in the characteristics, vocabulary, concepts, and processes important to creating, performing, and responding in dance and the content and processes of other arts disciplines.
- Analyze ways in which dance and other arts disciplines can be used together to express ideas and concepts.
- Analyze similarities and differences in dance and the processes of learning and understanding in other academic disciplines (e.g., mathematics, science, social studies, English language arts).
- Apply knowledge of ways in which concepts, processes, and skills learned through dance can reinforce or enhance understanding in other academic content areas.
Subarea roman numeral 4–Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Competency 0012–Analyze and interpret dance works and student dance projects and explain developmentally appropriate strategies to effectively address student needs.
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- Apply knowledge of standards-based learning goals for dance content.
- Explain how specific developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and activities promote student learning and inclusion in the dance classroom.
- Apply knowledge of assessment strategies to promote student learning and inform future instruction in the content area of dance.