Social is designed as a two-year program for 5th – 8th grade students. There is a basic class for 5th – 6th grade students and an advanced class for 7th – 8th grade students.  In both classes, time is divided between instruction and practice in social skills and instruction in partner dancing. Dance instruction focuses on dances the students are most likely to use at formal dance events both now and in the future, such as, salsa, waltz, fox trot, cha-cha, swing, etc.

The 5th – 6th grade curriculum introduces basic social responsibilities and behaviors with instruction and practice.

The basic social skills curriculum covers the following topics:

• Making introductions
• Appropriate behavior in public settings
• Host and seating courtesy
• Phone and email etiquette
• Assuming responsibility for shared tasks
• Showing appreciation
• Extending and declining invitations
• Making compliments

Dance instruction at this level emphasizes guided practice in getting used to dancing with a partner, learning dance rhythms, and the basic steps to a variety of dances.

The 7th -8th grade curriculum builds on what is learned in the previous level by expanding and elaborating on basic social skills and adding a great deal of new content, part of which focuses on the kinds of situations and relationships the students will encounter in their adolescent years and beyond, such as jobs or dating.

The advanced social skills curriculum significantly expands all of the topics covered in the basic curriculum and adds the following topics:

• Starting, maintaining, and ending conversations with new people
• Host and guest responsibilities
• Expressing appreciation verbally and in writing
• Table manners including when to begin eating, placement and use of napkins, silverware and glassware
• Restaurant dining protocol including reservations, seating, courses, ordering, and tipping*

Dance instruction at this level emphasizes confidence and independence in partner dancing. Students learn to recognize rhythms of different dances, proceed to the dance floor, and put the steps of a dance together independently.

*The restaurant dining classes are optional because they require an additional fee to cover the cost of food, materials, and restaurant accommodations for both sessions.