The strut
Teaching tip
Explain that the verb ‘to strut’ means to walk proudly or haughtily. Knowing this will help them get the feel of the dance.
Description
Ask them to find a space facing you. Begin with feet together and use the arms to help you strut.
Step one
- Using the right foot, step forwards on count 1
- Clap the hands on count 2
- Using the left foot, step forwards on count 3
- Clap the hands on count 4
- Repeat step one for counts 5, 6, 7, 8
Step two
- Using the right foot, strut forwards and throw the right arm out to the right on count 1
- Using the left foot, strut forwards and throw the left arm out to the left on count 2
- Using the right foot, strut forwards and throw the right arm up high on count 3
- Using the left foot, strut forwards and throw the left arm up high on count 4
- Using the right foot, take two steps forward and throw the arms down on counts 5, 6
- Jump the right foot across the left foot and pull the arms in on count 7
- Twist the body anticlockwise to face the other way on count 8
- Repeat steps one and two
Feeling confident?
If teaching more than one child, divide them into two groups and ask each group to begin at opposite ends of the room. They should dance the strut moving towards each other and then moving away.
For Dance ideas for 5 to 11 years (part 1) click here.
Pop star
Teaching tip
Make sure they know what a 90° turn is before starting the routine.
Description
Ask them to find a space facing you. Begin with feet together, using your arms to help you move.
Step one
- Using the right foot, step to the right on count 1
- Tap the ball of the left foot behind the right foot on count 2
- Using the left foot, step to the left on count 3
- Tap the ball of the right foot behind the left foot on count 4
- Repeat step one
Step two
- Using the right foot, take three walks forward on counts 1, 2, 3
- Jump the feet out shoulder-width apart on count 4
- Lift the right shoulder up to the right ear on count 5
- Drop the right shoulder and lift the left shoulder on count 6
- Drop the left shoulder and lift the right shoulder on count 7
- Jump the feet back together and clap the hands on count 8
Feeling confident?
At the end of step two, jump the feet back together while turning 90° to the left, then repeat the whole routine facing the new direction. Keep jumping 90° at the end of each repetition until you end up where you started.
The slam
Teaching tip
This is a fairly boisterous dance so make sure the children have plenty of space in which to dance.
Description
Ask them to find a space facing you. Begin with feet together, let the arms move naturally with you.
Step one
- Using the right foot, take three skips forward on counts 1, 2, 3
- Jump both feet wide apart, bending the knees deeply and stretching out the arms and fingers to the sides on count 4
- Using the right foot, take three skips backward on counts 5, 6, 7
- Jump both feet wide apart, bending the knees deeply and stretching out the arms and fingers to the sides on count 8
Step two
- Using the right foot, take three skips to the right on counts 1, 2, 3
- Jump both feet wide apart, bending the knees deeply and stretching the arms and fingers to the side on count 4
- Using the left foot, take three skips to the left on counts 5, 6, 7
- Jump both feet wide apart, bending the knees deeply and stretching the arms and fingers out to the sides on count 8
Feeling confident?
Again if teaching more than one child, ask them to form a circle and dance the slam facing each other.
Disco
Teaching tip
When the children jump and clap, it should be one fluid movement, not two separate actions.
Description
Ask the children to find a space in the room facing you. Begin with feet together, let the arms move naturally with your body.
Step one
- Using the right foot, step to the right on count 1
- Using the left foot, step across the right foot on count 2
- Using the right foot, step to the right again on count 3
- Jump both feet together and clap the hands on count 4
- Repeat step one to the left on counts 5, 6, 7, 8
Step two
- Using the right foot, take three steps turning to the right on counts 1, 2, 3
- Clap the hands and jump both feet together to face the front on count 4
- Using the left foot, take three steps turning to the left on counts 5, 6, 7
- Clap the hands and jump both feet together to face the front on count 8
- Repeat step two
Feeling confident?
Split into two groups and dance, one group at a time.
This extract is taken from 101 dance ideas age 5 to 11 written by Cush Jumbo and Roger Hurn. The book covers a wide variety of fun routines to get young aspiring dancers enjoying dance and improving their fitness at the same time. Published by A & C Black.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Fitness Professionals Ltd or Virtual Magazine. Consult a qualified health or fitness professional before making changes to your diet or exercise.
