Year 10 Dance

GCSE Dance

SUMMARY OF SUBJECT CONTENT:

Through studying performance, choreography and appreciation, the AQA GCSE Dance course assists in creating a well-rounded, versatile dancer both practically and academically who can choreograph, perform and appreciate dance as an art form. It sets relevant and exciting stimuli for choreography tasks and the Anthology consists of a broad range of professional works. Students who complete the course successfully are well prepared for further courses in Dance and/or Performing Arts.

Specification at a glance

Exam Board: AQA

Specification Code: 8236

Units

Weighting

Time

When

Notes

Performance

Non Exam Assessment (NEA)

30%

40 marks

a) 1 minute

b) 3-5 minutes

Internally marked and externally moderated

Spring term of Yr 11

a) Solo performance

b) Duo-group performance

Choreography

NEA

30%

40 marks

a) 2-2 ½ minutes

b) 3-3 ½ minutes

Internally marked and externally moderated

Spring Term of Yr 11

a) Solo OR

b) group

Appreciation

(written paper)

40%

80 marks

1hr 30 mins

Summer of yr 11

Based on students’ own practice in performance and choreography and the GCSE Dance anthology

What will my child study during Year 10?

The skills of performance, choreography and appreciation are taught throughout the year, as detailed below.

Key Ideas Covered

1^st Term

2^nd Term

3^rd Term

Performance

Learn & perform Breathe - one of two set phrases
Perform a group dance based on one of the set works A Linha Curva
Physical skills
Technical skills
Mental skills
Expressive skills
Safe working practices

Choreography

Created a group dance
Intention
Motif creation and development
Action, space, dynamics, relationships
Formations
Accumulation
Unison/canon
Counterpoint
Manipulation of number
Motif creation and development
Structure – episodic, unity, transitions

Appreciation

Safe working practices
Performance skills – physical, technical, mental, expressive
Peer feedback of practical work
Critically analyse and evaluate their own performance of Breathe.
Appreciation of a A Linha Curva from the Anthology to include identification, description, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of the choreography and production elements in relation to the choreographic intent

Performance

Performed group dance based on A Linha Curva
Performed a solo

Choreography

Created a solo in response to a given stimulus using past AQA choreography questions
Choreographic Processes of: Research, improvise, generate, select, develop, structure, refine, synthesise
·Stimulus & Intent
Aural accompaniment
Binary/ternary

Appreciation

Appreciation of Emancipation of Expressionism from the Anthology to include identification, description, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of the choreography and production elements in relation to the choreographic intent
Comparison of the similarities and differences between Emancipation of Expressionsim and A Linha Curva
Critically analyse and evaluate their own performance of solo

Performance

Exploration of Set Work Shadows
Learn & perform the second of the two set phrases - Shift

Choreography

Began creating a duet/trio based on Shadows
Relationships
Narrative
Intent

Appreciation

Appreciation of Shadows from the Anthology to include identification, description, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of the choreography and production elements in relation to the choreographic intent
Comparison of the similarities and differences between Shadows, A Linha Curva, Emancipation of Expressionism
Began appreciation of Within Her Eyes from the Anthology to include identification, description, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of the choreography and production elements in relation to the choreographic intent

How will my child be assessed and how will I know how well they are doing in Dance in Year 10?

The dance course during Year 10 and 11 will cover both practical and theory work. At the end of each practical piece of work, usually at the end of each half term, students will complete an informal assessment in class. These have been completed when possible. Students have been given a rough GCSE grade to show the standard of their work (e.g 5/6; 7/8) and feedback on how to improve. Informal theory assessments have taken place in school when possible, and booklets completed and marked on the Anthology works studied thus far. At the end of the Year, students sat a formal exam in the Sports Hall during which they will complete a full theory Paper; this was marked to exam board standards and a grade awarded. This was be combined with their practical marks to provide an overall grade. The marks/grades gained throughout the year will be used to provide a predicted grade.

What homework will my child be expected to do in Year 10 in Dance?

Students will be set weekly homework that they will be expected to spend around 1 hour completing. The homework’s will be a variety of tasks that will primarily be:

Completion of classwork with further research/note-making/completion of theory questions
Completion of past GCSE theory questions
Revision for theory assessments
Rehearsal for practical assessments of both performance and choreography
Use of the VLE to watch the Dance Anthology

How can I support my child to do well in Dance during Year 10?

Ensure they complete their homework properly
Support them by ensuring they have somewhere suitable to work, away from distractions but with online access to the textbook etc.
Support them to revise and prepare properly for each assessment
Encourage them to attend rehearsals after school

My child is struggling during the course, what additional help is available to help them keep up?

Revision guides will be provided
Workbooks for each set work from the Anthology and for Sections A and B of the theory paper will be provided
Students should be encouraged to seek assistance from their teacher when they are struggling with any concept.
Students have access to the VLE where the Dance Anthology can be viewed and theory resources accessed.

Updated September 2023