Folk Dance Fun

Process

Step 1

Divide the class into four teams. Each class will be assigned one country to research that country�s folk dancing history and related subjects. The students will use Wikipedia pages for their research. The librarian will provide, and supervise, individual youtube.com videos for viewing different samples of folk dance for the class.

Group One:        Africa

Group Two:        Ukraine

Group Three:      Bulgaria   

Group Four:        Ireland

        Assignments within teams:
            One cartographer
            Literature/dance researcher and transcriber
            Costume historian
       
Each team will also select a head researcher to coordinate resources, and assign specific tasks. Another member will be selected to serve as art coordinator to supervise creation of brochure. Lastly, one other member will be selected to edit the class�s written material to be used for the joint oral presentation.

Step 2

Arrange for computer time for online research, using links provided by librarian.

Step 3

Create a team folder with worksheets and notes. Have team meetings at the beginning of each work session to review progress, and assist team members who need help. Team members who have completed their assigned tasks will provide this help. Tasks for outside the class will be assigned, and there will be a short debriefing session at the end of each team meeting. At the end of each meeting, team notes and folder will be turned into librarian for her review.

Step 4

Using the results of their research, each team will prepare a written summary of the history, culture, and costumes surrounding the folk dancing of their assigned country. They will use these notes to give an oral presentation to the entire class.

Each team will also prepare a brochure for their folk dance, which will include a map of their assigned country/region, a description of the folk dance, a representation of the costume(s) used in that country�s folk dance, and an overview of the history of the folk dance.

Step 5

Each group will present an oral presentation to the entire class, which will include the brochure.

Step 6

All four groups will then discuss differences in each of the folk dances, and then perform an improvised version of them all, reflecting their ideas of what a folk dance means to them. The dance portion is for fun only, and will not be graded.

Extracurricular activities:

Special Education Students: