Dance Lesson Ideas

This is a dance I came up with to teach my students as an introductory rhythms/dance lesson. The dance is very "non threatening," as it is easy to perform and can even be done in the classroom at their desks. It is a great way to lead into the actual Pata Pata as the steps mirror the Pata Pata. Be sure to teach each step one at a time, adding on as each step is mastered (which does not take long at any grade level).

The steps/counts are as follows:

Count 1: right hand reaches out to the side and pats the ground

Count 2: right hand comes back in to pat the thigh

Count 3: left hand reaches out to the side and pats the ground

Count 4: left hand comes back in to pat the thigh

Count 5: both hands go out to form a "V" (no sound is made)

Count 6: both elbows go out to make the arms parallel (no sound is made)

Count 7: both elbow come in to form a "V" (no sound is made)

Count 8: both hands come in and clap (to make another "pat" sound)

Count 9: both hands reach up and out to the right with a clap

Count 10: both hands reach down to the left with the left hand patting the ground once

Count 11: repeat 9 (to the right & up again)

Count 12: repeat 10 (to the left & down again)

Count 13: "kick"/ push the right arm out in front of you
(halfway to raising a hand)

Count 14: right hand comes down to pat the floor in front of you

Count 15: left hand comes down to pat the floor in front of you

Count 16: right hand comes down to pat the floor in front of you

Repeat 1-16 until the music ends and have fun!