Take 3 steps and kick, like this: step right, step left, step right, kick left.
Form a line and place hands on the shoulders or waist of the person in front of you (or do the dance without contact).
An easy and inclusive dance, today it is enjoyed at parties everywhere. The conga line is a dance that originated in Afro-Cuban tradition. Try “A Chant From West Africa” or another song from Call and Response by Ella Jenkins. The dance is traditionally done with all dancers singing a call-and-response chant while dancing. Repeat steps 1 through 6 until scarves are back where they started. Remove and pass scarf to the person behind.
Bring the left foot to the right, and stand up straight again.
Step forward with the right foot, leaning slightly forward with the upper body.
Turn to the right and use the right hand to loosely hold the scarf of the person in front of you.
Standing in a circle, loop scarf loosely around hips and hold it (don’t tie!) together in front with the left hand.
The scarves must be long enough for students to loop around their waist. Gather enough unique scarves so that each student will have one. Inspired by a women’s dance from Togo, West Africa, this is a simple and fun dance activity for any age. “Freylekh Jamboree” by the Klezmer Conservatory Band 3. “Hora” from The Greek Folk Instruments: Clarinet
The leader (you first, later a student) drops the hand of the person on the right and leads the line around the room.
Stop, raise joined hands, move toward the center of the circle and back out again, and then resume grapevine.
When your students are comfortable, mix it up: The dance is done in a circle with joined hands and uses the 4-count “grapevine” step.Ĭount 1: Moving to the right, lift the left foot and cross it in front of the right foot, shifting weight to the left foot.Ĭount 2: Move the right foot right to join the left foot.Ĭount 3: Move the left foot behind the right as weight is shifted to the left foot.Ĭount 4: The right foot joins the left again. The hora is a traditional dance that is popular in Israel and Eastern Europe and enjoyed at weddings and other festive celebrations. “Black-Eyed Daisy” by the Carolina Chocolate Drops 2. “A Bear With a Fiddle in the Middle of the Woods” by Brent Holmes Lead the line of students (with hands still joined) around the room, out the door, or wherever you would like to take them.īasic Appalachian Circle Dance Music Suggestions Let go of the hand of the student on your left.
To end the dance, position yourself in the circle of students while they are circling left.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 in any order you choose.
“Come into the center with a whoop and a holler.” Grasp hands, walk to the center of the circle with a whoop, then back out.
“Step with your feet and clap the beat.” Drop hands and clap to the rhythm while circling.
“Halfway back down the same old track.” Holding hands, circle back to the right.
“All join hands and circle to the left.”.
Aim for 8 beats of music per movement (or longer if your students need it). You should plan to be the “caller” of this dance. Basic Appalachian Circle Danceīuilding community and group cohesion, circle dances can be found in many different cultures. And in case you need a cheat sheet for leading the dancing, these dances are easily printable! 1. These easy social dances are a great place to start. Your efforts to get your students dancing now may pay handsome dividends for them later in their lives. It’s been shown that dance benefits children (and adults!) physically, socially, and emotionally. What’s more, students who have positive experiences with dancing at this age are much more likely to seek out these experiences as they get older. They enjoy moving to music and interacting with their peers on the dance floor. At this age, children are eager to explore all the ways their bodies can move and are open to taking risks and following cues. The early grades are an ideal time to introduce children to different styles of dance.