Assign numbers to the students at each pole. Ask even #s to face clockwise and odd #s to face counter clockwise. All even # students should have the same color ribbon and all odd # dancers should have a different color ribbon. All students will hold their ribbons with their inside hands. Even #s will hold their ribbons above their heads and odd #s will hold the ribbon down at their hip level. The students will walk forward 4 counts with the odd #s ducking under the ribbon of the even #s. The students will then reverse their ribbon positions. They will walk forward four (4) more steps and evens will duck under the upper ribbon. The dance continues with the students continuing to move in the same direction while repeating the up and down ribbon movements over and over. Soon the maypole will be wound with the ribbon. Students can face the opposite direction, repeat the up and down ribbon movements while walking and the pole will be unwound. The dance could also include movements such as grapevines, slides, hops, etc., into the pole and away from the pole. It is important for the each student to remember the direction in which (s)he is traveling. Have fun making up variations and patterns. Video of the maypole dance is below.

After wrapping the pole, ask the students to describe the ribbon pattern they have created. In the upper grades, ask the students to determine what they must do in order to unwrap the Maypole.