AS 91591 Annotated exemplars

This annotated exemplar is intended for teacher use only. Annotated exemplars are extracts of student evidence, with commentary, that explain key parts of a standard. These help teachers make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.

Download all exemplars and commentary [PDF, 228 KB]

TKI Dance assessment resources (external link)

For Excellence, the student needs to perform a group dance skilfully.

This involves:

• adept execution of technical requirements
• interpretation of the expressive aspects of the dance
• awareness of the contribution of individual parts to the whole dance
• projection to and connection with the audience.

There is no student work currently available at this grade.

A student at this grade would perform a group dance that is refined, polished and expressive. The student's performance would demonstrate skilful and adept technical ability throughout the dance, and display the finer details of the dance.

The student would clearly sustain focus and engaging performance energy, and this would be projected out to the audience. There would be evidence of interpretation of the expressive aspects of the dance through the embodiment of a range of dynamic qualities (such as sustained and sudden, or fluid and percussive), to interpret and express the ideas and intentions of the dance with artistry and sensitivity.

The performance would consistently show clear footwork, controlled body movements, focus, energy quality, dynamics, flow and expression combined to communicate the emotional content and ideas of the dance. These ideas would be communicated broadly, using the dancer’s projection and focus to engage the audience.

There would be evidence of awareness of the contribution of individual parts to the whole dance, e.g. maintaining held positions well when required, so that these do not distract from the other highlighted dance sequences.

For Merit, the student needs to perform a group dance competently.

This involves:

• control of the technical requirements
• interpretation of the dynamic qualities of the dance
• sensitivity to other dancers.

There is no student work currently available at this grade.

A student at this grade would perform the group dance with control of technique and clarity and accuracy of shape and movement.  They would have accurate posture and rhythm and would use facial expression to convey the ideas, moods and intentions within the dance. 

The dancer would demonstrate general competence (e.g. solid technique) and the ability to sustain focus and display appropriate connection to partners and or other dancers.

The performance would show some performance energy, and provide an appropriate interpretation of most of the dynamic qualities of the dance.

A performance at this level could need a more energetic approach to assist projection and show more of a range of dynamic qualities. The ideas of the dance may be inferred in their performance, but need more projection to the audience.

The subtleties of the dance may be inconsistent, and greater consistency would add more light and shade to the performance, making it more dynamic and convincing in the communication to the audience.

For Achieved, the student needs to perform a group dance.

This involves:

• reproducing the movements of the group dance in accordance with the demonstration/description. The dancer demonstrates technical requirements, e.g.
  • clarity of movements and shapes
  • generally accurate timing in relation to others
  • the ability to maintain spatial relationships
  • differentiation of expressive qualities
• an ability to interact with others
• maintaining focus
• demonstrating some dynamic qualities.

There is no student work currently available at this grade.

A student at this level would meet the criteria through a performance of a group dance that allows for interaction between dancers. The student would be able to recall the dance without the prompting of others, and reproduce the movements with general clarity of shape and accuracy of timing. Some of the key ideas of the dance are communicated in the performance.

A group dance performance at this grade would include the use of appropriate posture and maintain generally correct spacing and rhythm throughout. The dancer would concentrate throughout the performance and show some basic awareness of the key ideas of the dance, with some dynamic changes beginning to be evident.

The size of movement may be inaccurate, and stronger upper body alignment may be required. Students at this grade would often require more awareness of key focus points to be used when performing and more appropriate expression. Making footwork and positioning tidier and more accurate would improve the performance, as would ensuring that all transitions are smooth so that the performance is more controlled overall.

There may be limited understanding shown of the variations in movement quality within the dance.

For Achieved, the student needs to perform a group dance.

This involves:

• reproducing the movements of the group dance in accordance with the demonstration/description. The dancer demonstrates technical requirements, e.g.
  • clarity of movements and shapes
  • generally accurate timing in relation to others
  • the ability to maintain spatial relationships
  • differentiation of expressive qualities
• an ability to interact with others
• maintaining focus
• demonstrating some dynamic qualities.

There is no student work currently available at this grade.

For a student at this level, there would be a genuine attempt to perform the group dance in accordance with the demonstration or description. 

This would typically involve knowing and recalling the movements, although there may be some hesitations and/or an obvious reliance on the other dancers to prompt them. Evidence would show that the student can demonstrate some accurate timing and spatial awareness, but often movements require more breadth, definition and energy.

There would typically be some accuracy of movements and some appropriate interaction with partners and/or other dancers. Expression may be absent, and shapes and movements would often be only approximated.

The dancer would show some basic awareness of the key ideas in the dances.

To reach Achieved, the student would need to ensure correct positioning, and spatial relationships would be shown more consistently. The dancer would need to take greater care with the accurate placement of arm lines, and with technical accuracy. 

Further, the student would be required to maintain focus and connect more with their partner and/or group, and ensure that timing and rhythm are more accurate. The use of more facial expression to help convey the ideas in the dance would help to reach Achieved.

There may be limited understanding shown of the variations in movement quality within the dance.