ROSETTES
Rosettes are a good way to get younger children accustomed to the exam system and to get them used to exam etiquette. They have the added comfort that their teacher will be guiding them through the exam process.
Children from 3 years up to 8 years may commence this series of awards. Children who had reached their 8th birthday may complete but not start this series.
Children can be entered 8 in one group, they can take up to 3 Rosette exams in one session and don’t have to be taken in numerical order.
There are 12 awards in total. The content is one set routine and one routine of a similar standard choreographed by the teacher and approximately the same number of bars as the set routine. All music used is the teacher’s choice and should be instrumental.
The teacher enters the exam room and introduces the children to the examiner and conducts the exam like a class. The teacher stands in front of the class, not blocking the examiner’s view. The teachers are allowed to demonstrate the moves and correct the children. There is no input from the examiner in the exam.
The exam is 5 minutes in length and the music is operated by an independent person.
THEATRE STAR DANCE AWARDS
There are 12 Theatre Star Awards for 8 – 13 years. These follow on from Rosettes and have the same format in the respect that students perform the set syllabus dance and one choreographed by the teacher. Music is the choice of the teacher and the awards can be taken in any order. The teacher does not go in with the children, the examiner will conduct the exam.
MEDAL TESTS
These are also another good way to encourage children to participate in examinations. The medal tests can be used as buffers when doing exam sessions. If a child isn’t quite ready for a grade exam then these tests would be a beneficial alternative. This gives the child something to focus on and also includes them within the exam session. The teacher can still run their graded work alongside the medal test. The minimum of dancers is 4, the maximum number is 16.
Children from 5 years can take medal tests.
In medal tests, the children will go in without the teacher. Your students can start with One Dance and progress onto Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Bar. Explanations of these are in the IDTA Theatre syllabus.
The music is operated by an independent person.
CLASS ASSESSMENTS
The class assessments are a great option for children who may not be able to accomplish a full grade. It takes some of the pressure off the student and they are allowed to have their teacher in the exam with them. The teacher is allowed to guide them in the exam and conducts the exam like a class. The examiner will just observe and mark the children. There is no input from the examiner in the exam.
The class dance may be interactive.
The maximum number of candidates to be entered in for a session is 6.
This is a good option, for children with additional needs as they still cover the same work as the rest of the class. The teacher picks certain exercises that are stated in the IDTA Theatre Syllabus and they concentrate on these exercises. The teacher enters the exam room giving the added benefit of being with them in the exam.
The exam is 10 minutes in length for Primary through to Grade 3 and 15 minutes for Grade 4 and 5.
The music is operated by an independent person.
REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT FORM
If you are entering a child with an additional need or a severe health complaint into an exam session a reasonable adjustment form. will need to be filled out. This is submitted with your examination application form. A child with an additional need can have a helper in the exam room with them.