Line Dance Creations - Outcome A (10-30)-9

Line Dance Terminology

Students must have some experience in learning and performing line dances before they can create their own dance routines. Teach the students different line dances using various steps. Incorporate a counting system while you are instructing so that students will be able to apply this to their own creations and keep time with the music. Use a variety of music including country, rock and roll, and even rap. Some suggested line dances at this level are:

Line Dance Directions

Slap Leather
Review the steps that they all know and then provide additional steps for those who need more challenge. Additions include full turns in place of the grapevine steps and beginning with one right one left one right one left touches instead of two touches to the right and two touches to the left.

Samba Line Dance
This dance incorporates different steps and starts with the left foot instead of the right. This is a two-wall line dance instead of a four-wall line dance. It can be done to a more recent type of music such as "Back Street’s Back" by the Back Street Boys.

Latin Mambo
This routine also begins with the left foot and uses four walls, but changes direction in the middle. It uses different speeds for the step count. The dance is performed to Latin music and can be done to "Mambo Number 5".

Once the students have learned a few line dances, encourage them to form co-ed groups to create their own line dances using their own music selections.

Creating Your Own Line Dances

Give each group a copy of the required components. Your requirements may include :

• A minimum of 64 beats
• A change of direction other than turning to another wall
• A "group look" that enhances their music selection, such as black pants and a white T-shirt. (Hats and bandanas are an easy way to achieve a group look.)

Allow class time to create and practice the routines. Tell the students how much time they have before their performance in front of the class. Videotape each performance so students can do a self-evaluation following the dance.

As well as performing their dance in front of others, students can teach their dance to another group and then perform it together with that group. This helps fulfill the GOA 20-9 level of dance. The activity also incorporates good communication and leadership skills.

Have students perform one of the dances you taught, using music of their choice.

These are clues that you have reached the outcomes ...

Students can demonstrate the line dances taught to them.

Students are able to demonstrate rhythm while performing.

Students complete and hand in a self-evaluation on the skills they have learned.

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