Ms. Reeves

Aug. 31, 2011

Yes, there will be homeroom on Thursday before school starts to pick up new schedules. Go to homeroom first, at the beginning of the day before first period.

Today we discovered a few more reasons of what the realionship is between the arms and body while dancing. Way to go to Second period! You found an answer that many of the other classes had not discovered yet: they are functional as well as they make the movements look good. The arms can help you stay on balance or can throw you off your balance...depending on how you use them.

The only new announcements is that the Cheesecake and Pansy Flower sales have been extended for one more week. Cheesecake forms are due next Wed. and Fri. for the Pansy Flower sale. Use this Labor Day weekend to your advantage!

Ms. D

Aug. 30, 2011

So much better today! We need for the classes that you had today to be like this on Mondays. I realize that Mondays at 8:30 is a bit of a challenge for dance but don't feel so bad because many of our former Seniors that are now at college have their dance classes at 8:00! So bring it on next week. I don't want you to get behind because you are not awake by 8:30!

Body positions: NINE of them, stage-classroom numbers, relationship between arms and head while dancing, balancing are just a few of the concepts we have been working on. How are you doing with understanding these concepts? I know it will take time for the body to show the results, but the body will not do it until the brain understands it! Do you understand?

New reminder: Cheesecake forms are not due NEXT Wed. Sept. 7

                       Pansy -flower forms are due NEXT Fri. Sept. 9.....

SALE AWAY>>>>>>>MAKE MONEY FOR YOUR ACCOUNT SO YOU CAN GO ON TRIPS!!! IT IS UP TO YOU!

Ms. D

 

Aug. 29, 2011

What is the relationship between the arms and head while dancing? Do you have any additional thoughts after having ballet class today? I hope by the end of class, you were able to get a better understanding of the concept. As I have discussed in class, we are trying to get some of the foundational skills and concepts within our body so as the year progresses, we will build on the foundations. If your foundation is not very strong, you know that your progress will be minimal. Take a few minutes and reflect on your corrections. You will be very surprised at how quickly you will progress by doing this reflection for yourself.

Have a good evening!

Ms. D

Aug. 26, 2011

I hope you have had a great Friday! We were able to finish the stretching pretest and start gaining knowledge about how to stretch safely. Each week, you will get more information to help you in these efforts.

I am pretty sure that Ms. Mora and I now have the classes divided as evenly as possible. The easiest way to remember your fifth period classes is that whatever class you had during the day is the same you attend in the afternoon. An example of this is that if I have jazz with Ms. Mora for first period, then I will have her for fifth period.

"Yellow" groups have Jazz every Monday and Tuesday and Ballet every Wednesday and Thursday. Fridays will alternate each week between the groups for Modern. (All of this is the opposite for the "Purple" groups)

**This Friday, Sept. 2: we will start with the Purple group that has Modern.

Have a great weekend..study your body positions and stage directions!

Ms. D

Aug. 25, 2011

Body Positions 101:

  Keep the handout that I gave you for the rest of your life. We will use them for your all of your days at Pebblebrook and bellieve it or not when you go to college! (If you dance beyond h.s.). The stage directions are very important as well. Please review them for a couple seconds before class and you should be fine. There are many ways that we will use them:

1. Performing them,

2. Recognizing them on someone else,

3. Speaking them, and

4. Spelling them and writing them.

As many of you dreamed about balancing last night, tonight's dream should be about the body positions!

Why do we have body positions?

Have a good one!

Ms. D

August 24, 2011

Way to hustle today.I know it was a bit of a challenge today with homeroom and firedrill. They are very important but for the most part, you were able to jump right back into class and get going. That is what a performer does, and you did it!

Tomorrow we well do more with the Body Positions and the stage directions.

Have a good evening!

Ms. D

Aug. 23, 2011

Body Positions: Please keep the handouts that you were given today in ballet class. We, you, will use these as long as you dance. This information is not just at Pebblebrook but in all of the dance world. Practice the spelling as well. You are training in all of dance, not just the physical portion of dance.

The other focus today was on the Soviet style of "Points" of the stage or studio. Please keep this information in the front of your mind as we progress through dance.

For the freshmen: The groups that you have been in will rotate for the next two days to the style that you have not had this week. Example: if you had ballet with me on Monday and Tuesday, you will have jazz with Ms. Mora on Wed. and Thurs. Also, if you had jazz you will have ballet for the nest two days. This will be the same every week. If you had ballet, this week on Mon. and Tues. then every Mon. and Tues. you will have ballet so prepare accordingly.

Have a good evening! Ms. D

Aug. 22, 2011

Here we go! Good work today. Now that you know what classes you have each day, be prepared and bring the correct clothes for your class. You need to do everything you can to get the correct clothes as soon as possible. Your progress depends on this. The way you are working in class shows me that you are conscientious and truly care about your grades. This is important.

Classwork:

   Don't forget about your Composition notebook. The beginning of each class will be focused on this activity of jotting down the essential question with some thoughts of what you think might be the answer. Afterward, you should have a better understanding and go back to updating your journal with any new information and questions. This journal/notebook will hold all of your dance handouts and notes throughout your time in dance. We will return to the information time after time. Today, besides learning the dance steps, counts, musicality, etc. our focus was on "alignment" and "turnout". I hope you have a better understanding of these concepts in class now and can make any adjustments in your journal that is needed.

Have a good evening!

Ms. D

Aug. 19, 2011

Yes, you made it to Friday. Your first week! You are doing a good job getting settled into the program. We will provide you with your purple and yellow groups so that you will know each week what your schedule will be and then you will know what class and what clothes to bring.

Don't be surprised with the pretests that will be coming your way soon.

VERY IMPORTANT: Don't forget your signed dance contract that is due on Monday. If you have lost your contract, look to the "Pages" section and you can print out either the short or long version of the syllabus to get the contract.

 COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK entries start on Monday. This means you will need your composition books by Monday.

Have a good weekend!

Ms. D

 

Aug. 18, 2011

It was great seeing more dancers today and placing you in the correct class. Remember to be patient as Ms. Mora and I both have a chance to see everyone and their potential. Just remember that you will individually challenged no matter what class you are in. We have to also look at your academics and find the best schedule for you.

Don't forget that all the PA forms are due on Friday. The dance form deadline is Monday, but many of you have already brought yours in! Way to go, that is what we expect!

Don't forget dance clothes tomorrow!!

Ms. D