Ballroom Dancing
National Dance Champion, Tom Cupp, and his dance partner, Betty Dallas.
Mrs. Arnold, our Physical Education teacher, received a mini-grant from "The Arts For Every Kid Program." The fourth graders are receiving ballroom dancing instruction from a national champion dance instructor. The program began on March 28, 2002 and will last for eight weeks.
The following are short dance videos taken on the last day of class:
Merengue
Merengue Bridge
Merengue With Parents
As part of the grant, the students kept a journal of the dancing activities. The following are excerpts of the journal entries:
4/26/02
Notes:
Etiquette: How to conduct yourself
Posture: Holding tummy in and your head up
Frame: How you hold your partner and lead and follow
Question:
Why do you think these three things are an important part of ballroom dancing?
Student responses:
I think etiquette is important because if you don’t have the proper etiquette you could have trouble finding a dance partner. To have proper etiquette you have to be nice, be polite, know the dance enough to be comfortable, look marvelous, and have fun. I think posture is important, because you want to look marvelous when you dance. I think frame is important because you want your partner to be comfortable.
I feel you need good posture so you do not get embarrassed. You should have good etiquette so you do not get turned down every time. You should have good frame so your partner feels comfortable.
I think these 3 things are important because if you don’t have good posture and you go up to someone, they might feel embarrassed about someone coming up to them all slanted over. I think you should also have good frame, because you might look funny when you’re dancing. You should also have good etiquette because if sometime in the future you would like to dance with someone, you will know how to dance with someone.
I think etiquette is important because it shows how you conduct yourself and you’re not falling or doing the wrong steps, and so you’re nice and being polite. This will also help you even when you're not dancing, like when you're introducing yourself to someone. I think posture is important because you're not slouching while you're dancing. You don’t scare the girl away if you’re nice and you look marvelous. I think frame is important because you can hold your partner’s hands up right and you look marvelous when you’re dancing.
5/5/02
Notes:
Waltz- rolls or glide (smooth dance)
Originated in Vienna, Austria
Moved to Paris, France, then London, England, and finally Boston, Mass.
The basic dance step is a box pattern with one step per beat of music, with a rise and fall; or a balance step using one step for 3 beats (also called a hesitation step).
It is in ¾ time, 3 beats per measure.
Question:
What do you like or dislike about learning and dancing the waltz?
Student responses:
I like the waltz because you get to learn how to dance. I also like the dance, because you get to learn about it and take notes on it. I don’t like the waltz because you have to hold each other's hands.
I like the waltz because you get to learn how to dance to the music and you get to take notes. I dislike the waltz because it is a slow dance and you have to walk in a box.
5/10/02
Notes:
Foxtrot - smooth dance
Created by Henry Fox in N.Y.C.
Dance step-box in 4/4 time
Slow, Quick, Quick Slow, Quick, Quick
1-2, 3, 4 1-2, 3, 4
Parallel-side to side
Slow, Slow Slow, Slow
1-2, 3-4 1-2, 3-4
Question:
How is the Waltz similar to or different than the Foxtrot?
Which do you prefer to dance, and why?
Student Responses:
The Foxtrot is similar to the Waltz, because they both have a box step. They are different, because they have different timing. The Foxtrot is 4/4 time, and the Waltz is 3/4 time.
I would prefer the Foxtrot, because it is a more active dance.
They are different. The Waltz goes up and down, and the time is 3/4. The Foxtrot
is 4/4 time and it doesn't go up and down.
I would rather dance the Waltz, because it is easier.
They're the same, because they both have the box step. They're also the same, because they are both smooth dances. They are different, because the Foxtrot is 4/4 time, and the Waltz is 3/4 time.
I prefer to dance the Foxtrot, because it is faster than the Waltz.