Teaching Folk Dance Know your Students Know your Dance Set the stage

Your Students Age Number of Students in class Male/female ratio Previous experience/ skill level fitness level and intellectual capacity disabilities ethnic background Amount of time

Your Dance The music The Movement Sequence Combining music and movement

The Music Find the underlying beat Determine the meter (2’s or 3’s) Introduction Parts or verse and chorus Say and Do in time to the music

The Movement Sequence Visualize the sequence Determine the directions the body faces Pick out the transitions Fit movements to music

Say and Do Process Cueing (Say) Say and Do Action words Directional cues Counting Singing Clapping Nonsense Syllables Say and Do

Presentation Methods Whole Part Part, Whole, Part Add-on

Combining music and movement Practice dance from end to beginning (transition) Individualize learning. Say and Do practice on own Add style after the footwork has been learned

Setting the Stage Teach social etiquette Provide name tags Prepare for co-ed situation how will you get partners if needed

Teaching hints Give background information to spark interest Play music early in the learning process Demonstrate where all can see In circle change location periodically or Have all students face front in staggered lines Teacher facing class must mirror movements Teach at the tempo you will dance

Teach from known to unknown Teach more difficult part first Modify dances as needed for success When students can “Say” then they can practice on their own.

Motivation Teachers attitude and behavior critical Giving feedback (p, 75-76) Students trained to self-check

Notation (handout) Language to dance vocabulary Rhythmic notation