SQUARE DANCING STUDY SHEET Square dancing is an American form of folk dance done by four couples in a square formation. The unique thing about square dancing is that there is a caller informing dancers what to do next. Dancers perform a variety of moves as directed by the caller. Calling is necessary because it would be almost impossible to memorize all of the different square dances. The caller is the most important figure in square dancing. There are several benefits to square dancing including: 1) improves listening and thinking skills, 2) works on group cooperation and team work, 3) helps improve rhythmic coordination, and 4) helps develop movement control. The sequence of couples in the square is very important. The 1st couple is the couple with their backs turned to the music. The 2nd couple is just to the right of couple number 1. The 3rd couple is facing couple number 1. The 4th couple is facing couple number 2. The boy is always the left member of the couple. Couple number 1 & 3 are referred to as the head couples. And couples number 2 & 4 are referred to as the side couples. A dancer's corner is the person to the left for the boys and the right for the girls. In other words, a corner is the person standing next to you who is not your partner. #1 & #3 = Head Couples#3 #2 & #4 = Side CouplesOX XO X = Boy #4OX #2 O = Girl XO #1 MUSIC
Square Dancing Terminology There are several different terms involved in square dancing. It is important that dancers are familiar with the terms so that they can perform the move when called out by the caller. The following are some different moves we used in class which may be on the test. It is important to remember that there are many more calls in square dancing that we did not have time to introduce in class. SHUFFLE STEP--The shuffle step is used in modern square dancing. One step is taken with each beat of the music. The dancers barely lift their feet from the floor between steps, shuffling lightly on the balls of their feet. Dancers NEVER hop, leap, jump, or skip. DOS A DO (8 beats)--Facing the person to be executed with, move completely around that person passing right shoulder to right shoulder, back to back, left shoulder to left shoulder, and return to the starting position. CIRCLE (16 beats-full circle/8 beats-half circle)--Dancers join hands, turn slightly in the direction called and shuffle step around the set in that direction. PROMENADE (16 beats)--Partners stand side by side facing counterclockwise. The man is closest to the center of the set. The man places both hands, palms up, in front of the lady who places her hands, palms down, on the man's hands (left on left, right on right). The couples then walk around the set, stopping at home unless otherwise directed by the caller. MEN (OR LADIES) PROMENADE INSIDE (8 beats)--The men (or ladies) turn counterclockwise and walk around the inside of the set and arrive back home. SWING (8 beats)--In class we used the elbow swing. Interlock elbows and swing your partner one time around. There are other types of swings including the right hand swing, left hand swing, 2-hand swing, the buzz step swing and the waist swing. ALLEMANDE LEFT (8 beats)--Face the person with whom the allemande left is to be executed (usually the corner). Join hands and walk completely around each other. When this is completed, partners are facing each other and waiting for the next call. The allemande left is performed with the corner unless the caller directs differently. This basic is often abbreviated to "allemande". Automatically assume the left hand is to be used unless otherwise specified. GRAND RIGHT AND LEFT (8 beats)--Partners face each other and join right hands. They then walk by each other, drop hands and take the left hand of the person they are facing. This alternate hand-over-hand sequence continues until the dancers meet their original partners halfway around the set. The sequence of hand holds is right, left, right, left, walk by. The men walk counterclockwise and the women walk clockwise. GRAND SQUARE (32 beats)--It is performed by all eight dancers. Each person traces a square on the floor. Each side of the square takes 4 steps to complete. Therefore 16 steps are used in tracing the square. On the call "reverse", dancers retrace their steps. LADIES CHAIN (8 beats/4 to cross the set; 4 to courtesy turn)--The designated ladies walk toward each other, touch right hands, pass each other and extend their left hand to the man they are facing. A courtesy turn is then performed. **As the women walk across the set, the men take two steps back and then two steps forward to meet the approaching women. The ladies do not return until the caller so directs. COURTESY TURN (4 beats)--The man takes the woman's left hand in his left hand, places his right hand on her waist and turns the woman counterclockwise so they are both facing into the set. FOUR LADIES CHAIN (8 beats)--The four ladies walk into the center of the set and extend right hands so that all hands are touching in the middle. Turning to the left, the ladies walk clockwise inside the set until they face the opposite man with whom a courtesy turn is performed. STAR (8 beats)--The designated dancers extend the designated hand into the center of the set, walk around one full turn and return to home position. If the left hand is used, dancers will be moving counterclockwise around the set. If the right hand is used, dancers will be moving clockwise.
SQUARE DANCING EXTRA CREDIT
Students will select up to two choices from the list below for a maximum of 10 extra credit points. All choices are worth 5 points. All extra credit items must be turned in no later than the day of the test.
1. Find an article/story in the newspaper or a magazine about square dancing. Print the article/story and write a one-paragraph summary on what the article/story is about. Be sure to attach your story/article to your summary. 5 pts.
2. Design a square dancing costume for one couple. You must have a costume for a male dancer and a female dancer. Be sure to us it COLOR in these costumes. Suggestions: skirts, blouse, pants, shirt, fringe, boots. 5 pts.
3. Interview a dancer of any type. Write the questions you asked and the responses of the person you interview on a sheet of paper. You must ask at least 10 questions. 5 pts.
4. Write a one-page report on the benefits of square dancing. Explain why it is important to teach and learn square dancing. 5 pts.
5. Find an article/story on the Internet about square dancing. Print the article/story and write a one-paragraph summary on what the article/story is about. Be sure to attach your story/article to your summary. 10 pts.
6. Draw a three panel cartoon about square dancing. Be creative! 5 pts.
7. Create your OWN square dancing extra credit assignment. (5 pts.)