TEACHER DANCE NOTES
Christy Lane Enterprises
P.O. Box 4040 Palm Springs, CA 92263
www.christylane.com
Tips for Teachers:
1. Know the difference between performing arts dance vs social dance.
2. Motivate or discipline.
3. Play music that students can relate to.
4. When working with diverse ability levels, work with the lower level. (More advanced students will add their own style).
5.
Teach easy rhythm dances to
elementary level:
a. Chicken Dance, Limbo, Hand Jive
b. Progress to easy line and partner dances and multicultural folk dances
6.
Teach line dance to middle school
level first:
a. Electric Slide, Bus Stop, New Electric Slide
b. Progress to partner dances
7.
Teach partner dances to high
school and adult level.
a. Swing, Salsa, Cha-Cha, Merengue
b. Progress to current line dances, partner dances and multicultural folk
dances.
Teaching Rhythm from A-Z:
1. Locomotor moves:
a. Begin by having students walk across the floor in lines with each line walking across the floor every 8 counts. Use current music or disco music at about 120 beats per minute.
b. Teach basic rhythm by having students walk on the beat.
c. Repeat walk focusing on chest lifted and eyes looking straight ahead.
d. Walk backwards on the beat.
e. Walk forward for 4 counts, then backwards for 4 counts turning sharply on every four counts.
f. Walk forward for 4 counts, then perform a full turn (360 degrees).
g. Walk forward for 4 counts, then ½ turn, walk backwards for 4 counts.
h. Turn again focusing on the power of shoulders while turning and focusing “spotting” with eyes.
i. Have students perform a continuous grapevine stepping on each count beginning with the R foot.
j. Repeat beginning with the L foot.
k. Perform the grapevine twice as fast (“double time”) focusing on being "light" on the feet.
l. Walk forward for 4 counts, ¼ turn L and grapevine for 4 counts.
m. Walk forward for 4 counts, ¼ turn R and grapevine for 4 counts.
n. Perform a triple step in 2 counts of music, and triple step with the other foot in two counts of music (shuffle or skip).
o. Perform the triple step again traveling backwards.
p. Change the music to a waltz and walk across the floor with a 1-2-3 rhythm stepping on each count.
q. Waltz backwards (focus on 6 counts instead of 8 counts).
r. Change the music to a polka and polka across the floor.
s. Polka step traveling backwards.
t. Change the music to a Foxtrot and Quick, Quick, Slow, Slow across the floor.
u. Foxtrot step traveling backwards.
v. Change to Swing dance music and walk quick quick slow slow at a faster pace
w. Swing step traveling backwards.
x. Change music to a Cha-Cha and walk forward R, L, then “cha-cha-cha” (R, L, R).
y. Cha-Cha step traveling backwards.
z. Have students learn different steps from the line dance you are about to teach. Slowly add the the steps together. Then everyone gets out of lines and faces the front of the class and learns the line dance in its entirety.
Preparing the Body:
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1. Warm up the major muscle groups when doing the locomotor moves above by walking for four counts, then shaking the hips side to side. Next, walk four counts, then move shoulders forward and back in opposition. What works well with young children is to walk forward for four counts then, let the body move (improvisation) for four counts. It's a great way to wake up the body! 2. If time, warm up the lower extremities by stretching the calves, hamstrings, groin and quad areas. 3. Rotate the neck side to side and ear to shoulder before attempting these turns to help students get "balanced". |
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a. Begin by facing front and performing a grapevine to the right and left |
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b. Grapevine L, then 3 step turn R to R |
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c. Grapevine L, then double turn to R |
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d. Grapevine R, then 3 step turn L to L |
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e. Grapevine R, then double turn to L |
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f. Grapevine L, grapevine R, then turn to L, then turn to R |
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g. Repeat above with double and triple turns |
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h. Repeat emphasizing the shoulders |
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i. Repeat emphasizing the eyes focusing |
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j. Repeat emphasizing arm control |
Teach some line dances:
1.
Teach a line dance slowly and then
add on more sections of the dance:
a. Electric Slide, New Electric Slide, Wild Wild West, Old School
Slide, Xtreme Slide
2. Then increase the speed of the tempo of the music.
3. Always teach facing forward until the students have the dance.
4. Teach portions of the line dance when performing across the floor locomotor moves described above.
5. Combine a few line dances together to create one long routine.
1950's Dances
Swing - Easy swing
(see routine below). Eight count swing. ( Basic = Step side, side, back,
together). "Rockers" start on R foot, "Rollers" start on L
foot. Repeat facing each other. Hold hands. Pattern is: 2 basics, 2 circles,
Rockers under the R arm, "rewind", 1 circle, Rollers under the arm,
Rollers do the pass to a handshake.
Eight Count Swing - 2 Basics (side,
side, back, forward), 2 Around the World, Rockers go under, Rockers return, 1
Around the World, Rollers go under, Behind the Back Pass, Handshake &
Improvisation
East Coast Swing - 6 counts= Slow,
Slow, Quick, Quick (side, side , back, forward). Same as above only different
rhythm
Swing
Dance Music Favorites
(Slow to Fast)
"Tuxedo Junction" by Glen Miller
"In The Mood" by Glen Miller
"Zoot Suit Riot" by Cherry Poppin Daddys
"The Walkin Blues" by Royal Crown Revue
Hand Jive - Slap 2 - clap 2 - palms
over 2 - palms under 2 - fists over 2 - fists under 2 -Hitchhike R 2 -
Hitchhike L 2 (repeat and do fast!)
Stroll - Partners grapevine facing
each other while 2 dancers weave down the center
Interactive - Conga and Bunny Hop
and hula hoop contest
Routine - Jump out and yell the
numbers to Rock Around the Clock - Clap hands four times as you run and face
partner - hand jive facing partner - go around the world - under the bridge -
spin in and out and pose
50's Dance Music Favorites
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets
"Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley
"Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis
"Stroll" by the Diamonds
"Tuxedo Junction" by Glen Miller
"Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Glen Miller
"In The Mood" by Glen Miller
"Sing, Sing, Sing" by Bennie Goodman
1960's Dances
Line
Dance Routine - Twist, Jerk, Monkey,
Pony, Swim, Skate, Hitchhiker, Surf the Wave. Solo dancers can demonstrate
pulling their baggie pants out, flipping their bushy hair or do some tumbling.
Interactive - Usage of material for
wave, beach balls, surf board and hula hoops as props
60's Dance Music Favorites
"Surfing' USA" by the Beach Boys
"Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen
"Wipe Out" by Surfaris
"The Twist" by Chubby Checker
1970's Dances
Bus
Stop - Walk bk 4, Fwd 4, Walk R 4,
Walk L 4, Jump fwd 2, Jump bk 2, Jump fwd 1, Jump bk 1, Click heels 2, R heel
pump fwd 2, Bk 2, fwd 1, Bk 1, side 1, Quarter turn L
Night Fever - 4 Walks bk, Fwd, R, L
, Kick R leg 2 times, Skate 4, Point 4, Roll arms 2, Click heels 2, R heel fwd,
Bk, Side-Quarter turn L
Interactive - YMCA, Bump, Freeze
dance
Routine - Travolta pose and freeze,
walk to place, perform Night Fever, Electric Slide and Bus Stop together to
create a routine.
70's Dance Music Favorites
"Electric Slide" by Melinda Johnson
"Y.M.C.A." by the Village People
"Get Down Tonight" by K.C. & the Sunshine Band
"The Hustle" by Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
"Staying Alive" by the Bee Gee
1980's Dances
Electric
Slide - Walk (or slide) R (4 counts)
- L - Back - St L fwd - Tap (or slap ground) R - Step R bk -tap L - St L fwd -
small kick R and quarter turn L
Funky Line Dance - (Enter with the moonwalk or "poppin" ) Cabbage Patch - Running Man - Walks R L - Step stomp - Hammer kick - Hammer jump - Turns R and L - Egyptian arms -Poppin' - Robot - Uprockin' - Breakdancing
Thriller Routine - please go to www.thrilltheworld.com for complete instructions.
Interactive - Improvisation and
Choreography and Staging
80's
Dance Music Favorites
"The Power" by Snap
"Everybody Dance Now" by C&C Music Factory (Gonna Make U Sweat)
"Get Up" by Technotronic
"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
"U Can't Touch This" by M.C. Hammer
"Whoop! There It Is!" by Tag Tea
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson
1990's Dances
Mambo
No. 5 - (Chorus) Tap R forward, tap L
forward, tap R forward, tap L forward/ step L and move hips L and R 4 times/
monkey arms R,L,R,L/ meringue R,L 4 times while ½ turn R/ (Verse) Hands up/slap
thighs/hip roll R/ roll head L and R halfway/hands up/slap thighs/step L tap R
next to L/step R, tap L next to R/step L forward/step R next to L/step L to L/
tap R next to L/ step R and clap hands over L shoulder, clap hands twice over R
shoulder/ snap fingers L and snap fingers R/ (Instrumental) Either create your
own dance or do the swing combination below.
Slappin' Leather - Heels R - L - R -
L - Point R foot R - L - R - L - Heel fwd 2 - Heel bk 2 - Heel fwd 1 - Heel bk
1 - Slap L foot in bk - Slap R foot in bk - Slap L foot in front - Slap R foot
in front - 1/4 turn L - Grapevine R - Grapevine L - Walk Bk 4 - Walk front 4
New Electric Slide - R side in slide
R together - repeat on L - R fwd 2 - R bk 2 - R fwd 1 - R bk 1 - R front -
quarter turn R - 2 box steps - jump and clap (try this to Latin, techno and big
band!)
Latin Dancing - When working with
K-3, you can always do the Conga, Limbo, Macarena with all its variations.
Older students enjoy the Cha-Cha and Salsa.
a. Teach the rhythm of the music...clap it
out.
b. Salsa line dance (inc. steps used in partnering)
c. Merengue (easiest of the line dances)
d. Macarena
SALSA LINE DANCE
Step forward on L, R back, L back, hold
Step R back, L forward, R forward and hold
Repeat
Step L to L, R in place, L together and hold
Step R to R, L in place, R together and hold
Repeat
Step L forward, turn full turn R on R, feet together and hold
Step R back, L in place and feet together and hold
Repeat
Step L behind R, step R in place, step L to L, hold
Step R behind L, step L in place, step R to R, hold
Repeat
Step L to L, step R to L, step L to L and hold
Step R to R, step L to R, step R to R and hold
1/4 turn L
Repeat
(Begin dance from the beginning).
MERENGUE
1. Face partner, review open, closed arm positions
2. Walk in place with men starting on their L foot and ladies on their R foot.
3. Move hips back and forth working on rhythm
4. Men walk forward for 4 steps, women walk backward for 4 steps
5. Men and ladies walk apart for 4 counts
6. Ladies go under the men's arm for 4 counts (turning R)
7. Men and ladies walk side to side in unison for 4 counts
8. Try various arm patterns and return to original position
90's
Dance Music Favorites
"Mambo Number 5" by Lou Bega
"Achy Breaky" by Billy Ray Cyrus
"Macarena" by Los Del Rio
"Salsa, Congo, Macarena Music" Christy Lane's Latin Dance CD
2000 Dances
Old School Slide - Walk R four
times, walk L four times, walk back 4 times, walk forward 4 times, do the
football to the R for 4 counts and clap on the count of 4, repeat the football
to the L, put R heel forward, put R heel back, put R toe to the side, 1/4 turn
to the L, shake hips R twice, then shake hips L twice. Repeat from beginning.
Cupid Shuffle - Step together step
to the right (4 times), step together step to the left (4 times), R heel
forward, R foot next to left, L heel forward, L foot next to R (2 times),
waddle R, L, R, L, R, L, R, L while turning 1/4 turn to the L. Repeat.
Booty Dance (also known as the
Mississippi Slide) - Grapevine R, grapevine L, walk back 4 counts, hop
forward and shake for 4 counts, stomp R foot and shake 4 counts, stomp L foot
and shake 4 counts, box step, box step with 1/4 turn to the L. Repeat.
Extreme Slide - 4 step stomps, 4
slides, walk R doing the Harlem Shake, walk L doing the Harlem shake, snake to
the R, L, R, L, stomp R forward and hold one count, stomp L forward and hold
one count, stomp R forward, bring R to L, stomp L forward, bring L to R, walk
back for 4 counts, do the lasso for 4 counts as you 1/4 turn to the L.
Move It Like This by Baha Men (for
the little ones)
Part 1
Clap 4 times
Shake upper body
Clap 4 times
Shake middle body
Clap 4 times
Shake lower body
Taebo rolling arms right
Taebo rolling arms left
Supreme’s point with R arm, then L arm
Part 2
Jump forward and back w/ shake 2 times
Wash car (circle right arm right, circle
left arm left
Walk in a circle and sit in car
Drive car right and left (lean right and left)
Stomp right, left, right, left (on last 2 stomps wave goodbye)
Drive out of driveway (walk back 4 steps)
Do the twist and grapevine to the right and left
Die
Another Day (James Bond Soundtrack)
by Madonna
Part 1 (Kung Fu Part)
Bow to Partner
Bow to Audience
Searching dragon to right (palm to face), then left, punch right, left, right
Block right (wax on, wax off), left, right, left, hands to side
Turn in place on one foot and end facing front while pulling arms in to side
Punch right, left, right, punch left, right, left
Block right, block left, block right, block left
Kick front left, right, left, then right
Part 2 (Hip Hop Part)
Step stomp
Step Knee Lift
Slide R, Slide L
Football R, Football L
Pop R, Pop L
Sprinkler Head
Standing Push Up
Freestyle Dancing - Step touch, step in front, step in back, step together step, touch side together, touch front together.
Suggested Music
"The Way I Am" by Timbaland
"Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid
"Cha Cha Slide" by Casper
"Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani
"Jump" by Nelly and Flo Rida
"You're a Jerk" by New Boyz (clean version)
"Fire Burning" by Sean Kingston
"Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus
"You Belong To Me" by Taylor Swift
"County Line" by Sugarland
Ballroom
Know the difference between rhythms of
foxtrot, swing, cha cha, waltz, and polka. Discuss 6 and 8 count rhythms and
the terms "quick and slow". Have the students form a circle and
travel counter clockwise in the circle. Teach the rhythm of fox trot (slow,
slow, quick, quick ), cha cha (1-2,3&4 ), waltz (1,2,3 1,2,3), polka
(1&2, 1&2).Teach the basic step patterns across the floor solo in lines
(like a drill team). Then teach the "line of dance" with guys on the
inside and girls on the outside. Dance solo in the line of dance. Then teach
basic arm positions: open, closed, promenade, sweetheart and proper hand
positioning. Practice as a couple all the dances in the "line of
dance". Add one arm pattern at a time depending on ability level of students.
Multicultural Folk Dancing
Hora (Israel) - Step L, Kick
R, Step R, Kick L, Step L, R, L, R traveling L. Teach facing teacher in line
before getting into circle. Teach slow, then faster tempo.
Hukilau (Hawaii) - Teach hands
(describing the actions of the words) first, then teach Step, Together, Step
foot pattern 2nd before performing them together.
D'Hammerschmiedsgselln (Germany) -
Clap thighs, Slap rib cage, Clap hands, clap partner's R hand, Clap partner's L
hand, Clap both hands with partner. Repeat the clap-slap combination until the
music changes. On chorus, step hop for 16 counts with everyone joining hands.
Repeat the clap slap combination. On the chorus, perform step hop pattern with
everyone's hands in middle to form a star. Repeat the clap-slap combination.
Repeat the step hop pattern with hands on shoulders.
Highlife (Africa) - 4
Step-Together-Steps to the R, Repeat L with sawing arms, 4 Step-Touches Forward
and Back, 4 Step-Together-Steps to R with praying Arms, Take it down for 4
counts, Repeat to L, Take it down for 4 counts, Repeat 4 Step Touches Forward
and Back, Paddle turn in Circle.
Yanko (China) - Figure 8's, Runs to
side, Runs in circle, Half peaches, Half peaches with quarter turns, Moving
figure 8's, Backward Running Steps, Turn, Ending Posture.
Virgina Reel (USA) - Walk to
Partner, Forward and bow, Right elbow swing, Left elbow swing, Two hand turn,
Do-si-do, Sashaw Down and back, Reel the Set, Cast off and follow the Leader,
Go through the arch. Repeat entire with new head couple.
Tinikling (Philippines) - Basic
Figure (Hop inside R, inside L, outside R, outside L) 4 times, Basic Figure
with a Turn (repeat 3 steps of basic figures, then half turn to the right
taking 3 steps) 2 times, Heel and Toe Figure (touch the R heel in between the
poles, then the R toe, hop over the poles onto the R foot) 4 times, Hopscotch
Figure (jump in between the poles on both feet twice, then jump outside of the
poles on both feet for one count) 2 times.
Square Dancing
Here are the descriptions of the most popular square dance calls. Mix
and match them anyway you want!
Circle to the Left: Dancers join
hands to form a circle, face slightly left as directed and move forward around
the circle as indicated.
Circle to the Right: Dancers join
hands and face slightly right as directed and move forward around the circle as
indicated.
Left Allemande: Dancers extend left
arm to their corner and take a forearm grip (fingertips near elbow) with the
ladies' arm on top and men's arm on the bottom. Turn CCW in a small circle and
return to original position ending facing your partner.
Right and Left Grand: Face partner
and join right hands. Walk past partner and extend left hand to the next
person. Pull each successive dancer by with alternating hands. Continue this pattern
until you either reach your partner again or until you are directed to go home
when you meet your partner the second time. Usually a promenade follows this call.
Promenade: A CCW walk with partner
around the entire square and back to the original home position unless
otherwise directed to go half way or 3/4 around the circle. The men are on the
inside of the circle with the men's right shoulders next to ladies' left
shoulders. The handhold is right-to-right and left-to-left with the right hand
above the left. At the end of the promenade the couple turns to face the center
of the set.
Single File Promenade: From Circle Left or Circle Right, the dancers drop hands and turn to walk in a single
file in the direction they were moving. If just the ladies are called to
promenade, they would step into the middle of the square, turn right and walk
single file around the center of the square one revolution. Same for men.
Unless otherwise directed, all promenades are CCW.
Right and Left Thru: Facing opposite
couples walk forward toward each other, join right hands and pull the opposite
dancer by passing right shoulders ending on the other side of the square. A Courtesy Turn completes this call.
Courtesy Turn: The man extends his
left hand across his body and takes the lady's left hand, places his right hand
in the small of the lady's back and gently pushes the right hand to turn the
couple 180 degrees to face the center of the set.
Ladies Chain: The ladies will step
into the middle of the square and join right hands to form a right hand star.
The hands can be overhead, the head touching the fingertips, or shoulder height
putting palms over palms or by grabbing the skirts and touching skirts with the
right hand. They walk CW as far around the circle as directed by the caller,
usually 1/2 or 3/4. When the ladies reach their destination, the men will Courtesy Turn the ladies.
Two Ladies Chain: Same as Ladies Chain only with two designated
ladies instead of four.
Men Star Right: Four men step into
the middle of the square and create a star with the hands by grasping the wrist
of the man in front. The men walk around the square CW, always turning their
star 360 degrees.
Dosado: Facing their partners, dancers walk towards their partner and pass
right shoulders. Without turning around, each dancer moves to the right,
passing behind the other dancer. Then the dancers walk backwards passing left
shoulders and returning to the starting position.
Right Arm Turn (Turn Partner by the
Right): Similar to Left Allamande but
using right hand with partner. Upon completion, dancers are usually facing
their corner.
Backtrack: This always follows a single file promenade. The identified
dancers will step outside the set and walk around in the opposite direction.
For the Very Young Ones:
Turn One Alone - Turn around themselves.
Honor a Partner - Bow to partner.
Do the Corral - Stomp, clap, stomp until
next call
Lasso - Stomp and circle hand overhead at
the same time
Tumbleweed - Sit and sping on the floor
Cyclone - Turn around twice and continue
walking
Cotton-Eyed
Joe
This dance may be danced with 2, 3, or 4 people side-by-side holding hands or
putting arms around waists. It is performed in a circle facing the line of
dance. Usually the arms are in the sweetheart position if performed with
partners. Men and ladies do the same footwork.
Counts 1-4 Stomp or hook L, kick L, shuffle back L (step L back, step R
together, step L back)
Counts 5-8 Stomp or hook R, kick R, shuffle back R (step R back, step L
together, step R back)
Counts 9-12 Repeat counts 1-4
Counts 13-16 Repeat counts 5-8
Counts 17&18 Shuffle forward L (step L forward, step R together, step L
forward)
Counts 19&20 Shuffle forward R (step R forward, step L together, step R
forward)
Counts 21-32 Repeat counts 17-20 three more times
Suggested
music
Cotton-Eyed Joe on Christy Lane's Party Dance Music
Cotton-Eyed Joe by the Rednex
Barn Dance
Mixer
This dance is performed in a circle in the line of dance with the men on
the inside and women on the outside facing the line of dance. Partners begin by
facing each other.
Counts 1 - 4 Men step L to L, step R together, step L to L, tap R. Ladies step
R to R, step L together, step R to R, tap L
Counts 5-8 Men repeat to R, ladies repeat to L
Counts 9 - 16 Men and ladies repeat counts 1-8
Counts 17-24 Men and ladies face the line of dance and both perform 4 step hops
Counts 25-32 Men and ladies grapevine away from each other and grapevine
towards each other.
End facing partner on count 32.
This dance becomes a mixer when the ladies take a new partner coming from the
left after count 28 and men take a new partner coming from their left after the
same count. Performed originally to country music, this dance now is performed
to many different types of music from hip hop to swing!