This week and next week we are in the heart of our dance
unit, which is Square Dance! Its 2016 –
why are we square dancing?? Well, there
are MANY answers to that question, and I would like to share a few of my
reasons with you!
1 – Its part of our American History – and has been
around, in one form or another for centuries.
But the Western American Square Dancing didn’t gain its worldwide fame until
the 20th century. Also, 19 US states have designated it as their
official state dance, including Illinois!
2 – Cooperation and Socialization – It’s all about
working with your partner and the rest of the dancers in your square. This reason alone is enough of a benefit for
me to teach square dance in P.E.
Throughout our lives we have human interaction and have to learn how to
work with other people. Dance is a
great, fun way for people to practice this life skill.
3 – Following directions – As many teachers will tell
you, we spend our days giving directions and (hopefully) getting the kids to
follow those directions. Square Dance is
the perfect setting to practice this! We learn each move and then have to apply
them into a song when the “caller” tells us what to do. Again, not only do I have to know what to do, but I have to be able to do this with
another person at the same time!
4 – It is easy and fun!
The steps are not complicated and you are always told what to do. Each year when I start this part of the dance
unit, kids do not seem too excited, but once they get the hang of it they
cannot wait until the next song to apply those moves with their fellow dancers!
5 – And finally…exercise and movement – It is not
strenuous exercise, but you get a lot of movement in practicing each step and
then doing the dances. Also, it is great for your brain because most of the
steps require you to do cross-lateral movements, using both sides of your brain. As research has shown us, our memory,
learning, and coordination can benefit greatly from these kinds of movements.
4th Grade Square Dance
5th Grade Virginia Reel
References:
Smart, Eva. Square dancing
and its benefits. Retrieved from http://www.mortonwhirlaways.com/Square_dancing_and_its_benefits.pdf
Square
dance. (2016). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Square_dance&oldid=697752811
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