Dance On!

Hi eveyone - this is Karla from CMajorLearning. I am currently working with some amazing folks at Colorado State University in the Colorado Kodály Institute program where I have the privilege of teaching Level III Methodology and Folksong Research.  I cannot put into words how much I love working with fellow music collegues in this capacity!

One of my favorite Level III topics is teaching movement and dance in our general music classrooms.  If you are at all interested in this topic, I encourage you to dust off your Choksy Kodály Context book and read Chapter 3 "Movement and Dance in Kodály Practice" (page 40).  This chapter includes a brief history of dance and how it came to be in the United States - a very interesting ready.  My favorite part, however, is at the end of the chapter where Choksy has included "A Developmental Sequence for Teaching Movement and Dance via Kodály Principles" (pages 50-51).

I would like to share some of my favorite structured movement pieces (done to recorded music with no singing) that are towards the end of the sequence in the Choksy book.  I don't get to dance these much since I'm teaching K-2nd grade and so when I do get to dance them I'm pretty excited - just ask any of my former Level III students!

(in no particular order)

Zingernerpolka - a circle game from Teaching Music and Dance with the recording on Rhythmically Moving CD #2 by Phyllis Weikart

Salty Dog Rag - a partner circle game from Teaching Music and Dance with the recording on Rhythmically Moving CD #9 by Phyllis Weikart

Amos Moses - from Teaching Music and Dance with the recording on Rhymically Moving CD #8

Sashay the Donut - a double circle game with lots of sashaying from Sashay the Donut by the New England Dancing Masters

Troika - a circle dance in groups of 3 from Russia from Teaching Music and Dance and Rhymically Moving CD #2 by Phyllis Weikart

Fjäskern - can be done as a stick passing game or I just learned it as a circle game (thanks Tanya LeJune!)  Recordings can be found on Rhythmically Moving CS #2  or Dance Music for Children Level I by the Shenanigans

Borrowdale Exchange  - a mixer done in groups of 6 - as learned from Sandy Knudson, OAKE National Conference 2014

Happy dancing!!!

3 comments

Unknown said...

Great post! Where can I find inexpensive resources for kodaly folk dance materials? The Choksy books are quite expensive.I plan on doing Kodaly training but not till next summer

Lindsay Jervis said...

I think the Amidons resources are reasonably priced! http://www.dancingmasters.com/store

Unknown said...

Hi! Great post! I currently teach some beginning cultural dances to my second graders, and I am looking for some video resources to share with them during this unit (I want them to dance AND to see dancing). Would you have any video sources of cultural dances you would recommend?

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