A Step Ahead - Family Dances - dance units

A Step Ahead - Educational Dance and Exercise
Mission Statement:

Mission Statement: Our goal is to bring the joy of dancing to everyone whether they feel they can dance or not!! Dancing promotes social, physical, intellectual and emotional health and creates fun exercise and activity.
P.O. Box 13634, Mill Creek, Washington 98082 - (206)619-6527

Dance Units - Dance Assemblies - Family Dances

Free consultation to customize your school's program!

**   Elementary School Units:
Schools choose the units according to the grade levels. We propose a curriculum but that is only a suggestion! We believe that dance and movement, to be a life-long form of expression and exercise, starts when children are young and still believe they CAN do anything.   As you read the descriptions of the units, you'll see that all children can succeed with this curriculum. The concepts taught are an integral part of their growth!!

**   Secondary School Units:

The goal of these units is to have the students participate together in a wholesome, non-dating situation where they can work and learn together and support each other by learning contemporary partner dancing styles. This will help them socialize at their own school dances, get exercise and have fun with other people, whether their own age or not. (see also Elementary school units)

** Assemblies:

You're never too old to dance. A Step Ahead has a unique assembly program with the YMCA Silver Steppers (see picture below) meant to develop respect inter-generationally and get the students intrigued by dance and movement.

Also available are inter-active assemblies focusing on dancing through the decades and learning about other cultures through their music and dance!

** School and Family Fun Dance PARTY!!
Dance is either the reason you have a party or used in order to MAKE it a party! We do both! Chock full of dance styles, dance instruction to the hottest and contemporary songs, dance competitions, games, prizes and the most popular dances like the macarena, chicken dance, limbo to name a few! If you want to have fun dancing, we lead the way....just get on board!!

Elementary School Units:

Contact us for our "suggested curriculum" which ensures pedagogical sequencing!

“Creative Movement to Music” Unit (suggested grade levels K-2)

Students will learn to express themselves through body movement, gain confidence to move to music and focus on the concepts of music theory. Individual expression with some spontaneous partner activities will enhance their ability to use music to express ideas and emotions.

“Dancing Through the Decades” Unit (all grades)

Students will gain confidence and a desire to move to music from the 20’s to the current hip hop decade of music while learning the current events of the decades of these popular dances. Included also, decade by decade, are the fun party dance like the Hustle, Twist, Bunny Hop and Macarena to name a few.

“Social Dancing” Unit (Suggested grade levels 4-9)

Not only will students learn social dances, they will learn the most important and often forgotten social etiquette. Many of the unspoken lessons will be a new appreciation of how to treat the other gender in a polite manner and teamwork. They will also learn the social dances that are popular and traditional such as the Cha Cha, Swing, Waltz and Samba. Each unit is introduced through its history and origin, demonstrated by youth via video and taught to contemporary and traditional music.

“World Culture Dances” Unit (suggested grade levels 4- secondary school)

Students will learn through the history of the country the dances of Europe, Asia, Africa, Polynesia and India. Dance, music and movement are pivotal to many cultures that explain and identify it. This unit is definitely a fun and unique way to learn about and appreciate the different cultures of our world.

Special Education Music Fun (2 sessions only - any ages)

Students with special needs love music and movement. This unit gives students a way to express themselves, feel the universal message of music and build awareness of their body and capabilities. Students will create movement to various styles of music with a wide choice of composers.

Secondary Education Social Dance Units:

Swing: The fun and versatile dance of the 40's is the most popular of the four. Intended to teach teamwork, trusting one another and having fun. Danced to the music of the era and contemporary tunes, it has proven to get the students (especially the gentlemen) pumped up about dance and its life long skill.

Samba:

The sassy, Brazilian dance that keeps one on their toes! With a rhythmic bounce, it is fun, festive and a great cardio workout. Top 40 hits and the traditional Latin music add culture to the unit. This unit also encourages working together and the partnership of leading and following to move across the floor.

Waltz – The elegant dance used for royalty but identified with all generations. Danced to 3 beats per measure and made to flow through the person and eventually through the couple. The slower tempo teaches coordination, balance and controlled use of the body. Trust, respect and teamwork are emphasized. Contemporary and traditional music is used for a variety of experiences.

Cha Cha – The rhythmic Latin dance, emphasizing the fast cha cha step in between slower steps, adds variety to social dancing. Hip action, when attained, is great exercise for the core. The partnership learns to work together to attain this more difficult patter of movement. Latin and pop music is used for this unit.