Learning Activities
If possible, teacher will provide students an opportunity to view video of dances from the 1960s in order to see the dance styles of the times.
Youtube resources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvYQJfbusEQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cu4iAcM2FU&NR=1
Teacher will demonstrate each dance, or have students research each dance and present their findings – the dance itself! Students can ask parents, grandparents, anyone they know who is over age 50 about these dances. Many folks who lived through the 60s still enjoy these dances and will be happy to demonstrate! They are relatively easy to learn!
The Twist: Dancer stands in relaxed position. Hips rotate or twist in time with the music. Feet will automatically twist too. Dancer should put weight on balls of feet and twist feet along with hips. Arms are slightly bent and swing in time with music. This dance can be done at various levels - twist high, medium and low!
The Jerk: Dancer stands in relaxed position. On each beat of music body jerks in a whiplash fashion --- but not too hard! Arms go up on first jerk, down on second jerk, up on third jerk, down on fourth jerk, and so on.
The Swim: Dancer stands in relaxed position. When music begins hips bounce and swing to music, while arms move like a swimmer’s arms doing the front crawl (8-16 counts), then the back stroke (8 to 16 counts), then the breast stroke (8-16 counts). Occasionally, dancer holds nose with one hand and bends knees deeply to “dip” under water; while "under water," dancer can hold other hand up with palm open and waving.
The Monkey: Dancer stands in relaxed position. When music begins knees bounce in time with the music causing the upper body to go up and down. Arms reach out in front with closed fists and thumbs up. Dancer raises R hand and then L hand as if climbing tree, to the beat of the music. Occasionally, hands motion as if peeling a banana and eating it.
The Mashed Potato: This dance is a little more technical and difficult than the others. Dancer stands in relaxed position. When music begins dancer feels beat and leans forward onto balls of feet and begins to turn knees and toes in, then out, simultaneously, again and again. On the downbeat, while still performing the in and out of the knees and toes, the dancer may lift one leg slightly out to the side and bring it back down. Then (s)he can lift other leg slightly out to the side, and bring it back down. Hands are positioned in front of stomach, shaking loosely. The Mashed Potato is done quickly, and actually seems like a good way to get your potatoes mashed! Here is a you tube video that shows the basic movement of the legs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzGPpPUML94
The Watusi: Dancer is very relaxed. Hips swing right and left to each count of the music while body leans slightly to right, then to left with the hip swings. Arms move in this fashion: arms are slightly bent – first the right arm swings to front of body while left arm swings to side; then left arm swings to front of body, while right arm swings to side.
The Boog-a-loo: Another dance that is a bit more technical and difficult than the others, but really fun once you get it. Dancer is relaxed. On counts ONE, TWO, THREE, body will move right, with feet stepping R, L, R. So to begin, the right foot steps slightly to right, then left foot moves to right and is placed next to right foot, then right foot steps right again. On count FOUR, left leg makes a little kick out to left with knee slightly bent. Now reverse stepping L, R, L. Do the whole four counts to the left, with left foot leading and stepping out to left on count FIVE, then right foot steps to the left and is placed next to left foot, then left foot steps left again. On count EIGHT, right leg makes a little kick out to right with knee slight bent. The whole body sways while the feet are doing this move. The arms are held up and elbows bent with hands at about shoulder level. Fingertips are touching as if holding a cookie. Arms move R,L,R on counts ONE, TWO, THREE. On count FOUR hold arms still, but push chin and right shoulder to the right to emphasize that beat. Now, do the whole thing to the left side. Arms move L, R, L on counts FIVE, SIX, SEVEN. On count EIGHT hold arms still, but push chin and left shoulder to the left to emphasize that beat. Try to put a ‘groovy’ feel to it by smoothly swaying upper body with beat of music, and keep it going!
The Hitchhiker: Dancer begins in relaxed position. Hips shake 3 times to the right, as thumb sticks out to the right and bounces to right with beat of hips and music. (Hold count 4). Now do the move to the left, with hips shaking to left 3 times, while left thumb points and bops to left in ‘hitchhiker’ fashion. Dancers can move around and add spins to this dance.
After students learn these popular 60s dances, they can have a "60s Sock Hop!!!" If possible, students can come in 60s garb.
Girls can wear fashions of the early 60s: capri pants and ponytails, or fashions of the later 60s with mini skirts, "go-go" boots, bell bottom jeans and tie dyed t-shirts. Boys can wear fashion from the early 60s: "greased" back hair, white t-shirts and baggy pants rolled up a little at the bottom, or later 60s styles of longer hair, flare legged pants, and polo style shirts, which were just becoming popular. The class can decorate the room or gym with dance party posters (showing juke boxes, records, and other 60’s memorabilia) available from some of the party supply stores, or students can make their own posters! Be sure to include a dance contest!
