D.T401

Variation of a Theme Using Jazz Combinations

This performance task will use skills from a beginning jazz curriculum. The teacher will select the focus skills for the class level or use the example from this assessment. Students will learn a 16-32 count jazz combination and will then individually adapt this movement phrase to create a variation.

Examples of variation of a theme include retrograde, ornamentation, repetition, fragmentation, etc. Intimate Act of Choreography by Lynne Anne Blom is a helpful resource for more information on using theme and variation structure.

Students will perform, record, and evaluate.

This assessment does not use musical accompaniment to allow for more experimentation and not limit or hinder student choices when creating variations.

This item has been voluntarily field-tested by Michigan teachers with a non-representative sample of students.

Teacher Booklet

Download PDF Download Word Doc

Student Booklet

Download PDF Download Word Doc

These are analytic rubrics. The column on the left shows the dimension that is being measured in the student’s performance. The levels across the top row indicate the performance level in the dimensions. Occasionally all dimensions and performance levels are exemplified by multiple students in a single recording.

TEACHER SCORING RUBRIC

  • Dimension

  • Concept -Theme & Variation

  • Accuracy of Technical Skill -Teacher Determined Focus Skills

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

SELF-ASSESSMENT SCORING RUBRIC

  • Dimension

  • Concept -Theme & Variation

  • Accuracy of Technical Skill -Teacher Determined Focus Skills

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

  • Did not successfully demonstrate the concept of creating a variation of a theme.

    N/A at this time.

  • Minimally demonstrated the concept of creating a variation of a theme.

    N/A at this time.

  • Moderately demonstrated the concept of creating a variation of a theme.

    N/A at this time.

  • Substantially demonstrated the concept of creating a variation of a theme.

    N/A at this time.

  • Did not successfully perform the focus skills correctly.

    N/A at this time.

  • Minimally performed the focus skills correctly.

    N/A at this time.

  • Moderately performed the focus skills correctly.

    N/A at this time.

  • Substantially performed the focus skills correctly.

    N/A at this time.
Having trouble viewing videos?

Leave Feedback for this Assessment


What did you like? Did you need to revise anything? How could we make this assessment better?
Our Assessments are written by teachers for you, so your feedback is important to us!

Comments about items may be moderated and/or reposted in the blogs to aid item improvement and teacher learning. By leaving a comment, you agree that we can use your comment without attributing it to you.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with all of our assessments.

Sign Up Now!