Dance
This year, thanks to our PTA and a generous grant, the 5th grade is lucky is enough to continue to learn with Rosina Didyck as our dance instructor. In the 6 weeks we spend with her, she will be teaching us about the role of dance in American History. Students will learn the steps, apply knowledge of dance vocabulary, and experience the music and dance steps used in historical times.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR AMAZING INSTRUCTOR
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR AMAZING INSTRUCTOR
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Pata Pata
Miriam Makeba faced many obstacles in her home town in South Africa. She was not willing to sit by and idly watch the horrible nature of apartheid continue. Using her popularity, she spoke out about the rules of her government. She was invited to speak about segregation in the United States, and traveled there to share the message that segregation and apartheid were wrong. In returned, she was extradited from her home in South Africa for 10 years. To show support for her message, Californians created a folk dance in the style of line dance to go with her most popular song, "Pata Pata". Right leg touch step Left leg touch step toes out, heels out, heels in, toes in right knee up, right knee up left leg lift left leg kick right, left, right step |
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Los Machetes
California was a part of Mexico for a long time. Many farmers grew sugar cane on plantations. To cut the sugar cane, farmers used machete knives. Days were hot and long, and the workers began to perform tricks with their knives. These tricks and quick-handed moves became a dance over time. The dance is a folklore dance that tells the story of harvesting the sugar cane from the fields. Professional dancers use real knives during this dance. We will use our hands or rhythm sticks. A: march and clap B: back and forward facing partner C: partner, under, front, under, front, back, front, front, front D: walk around |
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Troika
Troika is a dance brought to the United States by Rssian fur traders. The dance is done to a song played on the accordian. It is believed that many soldiers stationed at Fort Ross in California missed the music and dances of their homeland of Russia. Troika is a dance done with three people in a group. to emulate a sled. The word troika means several things in Russian includding the word three and a word for a special kind of sleigh. |
Valse Jota
Valse Jota was a dance done on the ranchos during Spanish occupation of California.
Valse Jota was a dance done on the ranchos during Spanish occupation of California.