Tinikling Folk Dance

 In 5th and 6th grade we have been exploring moving, playing and writing beats and rhythms. This week we are performing dances to the beat. To do so we are learning about the Philippenes and all about the Filipino culture. Students in these grade levels have seen the similarities and differences in their culture and to round it all out we are learning the very popular dance of the Filipino people, Tinikling. 

This dance mimics the movements of the Tikling bird, native to the Philippenes, and who caused so much mischief for the farmers in the region. To keep the bird from ruining their crops, they would lay bamboo poles down in their fields to keep them from eating their seeds. The birds were too clever for the farmers and found ways to "dance" over the poles, which became the inspiration for the fun and energetic dance. Below you will see pictures/video of the students performing the three basic steps and having a blast!