Here in Indiana, we’ve experienced our fair share of cold weather already. Students need even more chances to move and dance when their time outside is limited. There’s only so many snowmen you can build when it’s below zero outside. So, I’m writing about another easy folk dance you can try with your students, Skating Away, which is set to the tune of All Around the Mulberry Bush.
FOLK DANCE
- Begin with students in a circle, with two couples in the center.
- The couples in the center form a right-hand star or a basket-weave hand lock as shown in the video below.
- During the first verse, the circle steps clockwise, while the couples move counter-clockwise.
- In the second verse, both groups change direction.
- During the third verse, the couples choose new players to be in the middle.
- The new couples prepare the right-hand star, while the circle sings and claps to the third verse.
- Then, the song and dance begins again.
What I like about this folk dance is that it doesn’t require a lot of hand-holding. It can be modified to work for students who have very little to no experience in dancing. For example, instead of having students in the circle join hands, you could have them touch shoulders instead. Or instead of doing the right-hand star, students can try the basket-weave hand lock as shown in the video above.
SOLFEGE & NOTE NAME PRACTICE
This song is great for practicing the interval so-do. I created some half-page worksheets you can use to practice Solfege or note names, depending on what you need. Here are a few ideas:
- Fill in some of the boxes with Solfege, and ask students to fill in the rest.
- Use the color-coded notes to play Boomwhackers™ or colored bells.
- Ask students to fill in the boxes with letter names.
- Write chord markings above the staff and have students play along on Orff instruments or ukuleles.