Social Dance Teacher Resources

We're going way back to the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s to discuss pop culture, entertainment, and social dance. Kids discuss the top headlines from those time periods and how music, culture, and dance influence each other and evolve over...

Just exactly what is social dancing? What does social dancing have to do with the African American community and African American history? The narrator of this short video explains how social dancing can support the culture of a...

Students share dance moves that reflect their personalities or depict how they are feeling, explore popularity of recreational and competitive social dancing by reading and discussing the article "Follow the Flying Feet," present...

West Side Story and Romeo & Juliet—two classics in their own rights that help young literature lovers better analyze different works. Learners research and compare the characters and story elements of West Side Story and Romeo &...

Students dance in order to learn social and recreational dances.

Throughout history, dance has had a spiritual or ritual significance depending on the context it's performed in. Critical thinkers research and create a multi-media presentation describing the use of dance and music in wedding rituals...

Students demonstrate dances of colonial America. In this colonial American lesson, students learn forms of colonial social dancing including the Juba and Virginia Reel. Students examine the history of the 2 dances as well.

Students are introduced to a social dance from Canada's Aboriginal peoples. Students warm up listening to the music and listening for the beat before trying the 'Stomp' step without a partner. After some practice, students choose...

Third graders will participate in a dance activity for physical fitness. The learn a social dance that has an origin with the Canadian Aboriginal People. The use of tribal music will make the lesson more culturally relevant.

Take a look into the many facets, purposes, and styles of Native American music. Each slide in this well-organized presentation provides clear introductory information on the forms and functions of American tribal music. Use it to...

Students incorporate historical references into the modern circle dances.

Young scholars consider the development of dance across cultures. In this dance genre instructional activity, students study the history of Russia and the Mongol Tatars. Young scholars research how classical ballet made its way to Russia...

First graders discuss different kinds of music they have heard. They listen to a short selection of folk music and discuss where they think it is from. Using a globe, the teacher shows students where the music is from. They spread out on...

Students analyze the drum patterns and changing styles of the music and dance for the Native American song and dance "Owl Dance." They listen to a recording of "Owl Dance," discuss the cultural context of the song, and perform the song.

Students explore dancing to a Friendship or Round dance songs. They perform basic dancing steps such as the stomp and hit. Students demonstrate rhythm, hand motion and proper foot placement. They listen to the music and perform a dance...