Presented by

Linda Houghland, Lyndsay Magenheimer, and Ron Sansone

Far Hills Country Day School, Far Hills NJApril 1, 2014

During the winter months we take time to teach ballroom dance to our students. Each year they learn and perform a different dance for their family members. The dances we teach include; Tango, Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Merengue, Waltz, and Rhumba.

Why do we teach ballroom dance in PE? Teaches etiquette to our students Respect for one another Learn about different cultures Helps with rhythm and finding the beat of the

music Cardiovascular exercise Helps their memory (able to remember what steps

come next) Create relationships with classmates FUN!!!!!

Tango: Argentina 5 basic steps that spell the word T-A-N-G-O ladies begin with stepping back with their right foot, gentleman

begin stepping forward with their left foot. 3 steps forward or back (depending on gender) T-A-N G is a step sideways and O ends with both feet together Cambio

Promenade (travel step) 2X basic T-A-N-G-O step while students travel in a specific direction ending with a quarter turn G-O (in other words, boys end up facing direction couple is traveling in)

Cha-Cha: Cubin Origin 4 basic steps Ladies start with a rock step with right foot

back, gentleman left foot forward rock step

“cha-cha-cha” quick step in place Ladies: right,left,right Gentlemen: left, right, left

then do the same rock step and cha cha cha with other foot (ladies up with left, gentlemen back with right)

After students do this 4 times (two on each foot) both ladies and gentlemen open to the right then cha cha cha

Open left cha cha cha

Ladies: right foot forward leaning, head looks over left shoulder

Gentlemen: step backward with left foot, head to right shoulder

Open right cha cha cha Open left and turn away in a circle from partner and a cha cha

cha Slide away from partner with one hand fingertips still touching

and come back and cha cha cha 4 toe heel steps forward with snaps REPEAT

Merengue: Dominican Republic

Everything is in counts of 8 Gentlemen move 8 counts left, ladies 8 counts right, then back

to original spot Ladies turn under gentlemen’s arm Repeat 8 counts left and 8 counts

back Gentlemen turn under ladies arm Again, 8 counts left and 8 counts

back BOTH turn together Repeat 8 counts left and 8 counts back Hands out straight (high 5) and make two big circles with hands Repeat

Points To Remember: Ghost Partners: when there aren’t enough students to dance

and/or when the students are learning the steps for the first time

Invite other teachers and administrators to participate if available

Allow students to be creative and choreograph moves and steps if they feel comfortable (some of our best moves have come from students!)

All dances can be modified to your specifications and number of times moves or steps are performed

Body frame and posture

HINT: Get students to bend their knees and move feet, this helps move their hips!!!

Music and Movie Suggestions:

Tango: “Spanish Fire Tango” Mad Hot Ballroom Soundtrack

Cha Cha: “Louie Louie” The Kingsmen “Fever” The McCoys “Smooth” Carlos Santana “Oye Como Va” Carlos Santana “Cha Cha Cha” Sam Cooke “Time of my life” Dirty Dancing Soundtrack

Merengue: “Suavemente” Mad Hot Ballroom Soundtrack “Ta Haceiendo Frio” Mad Hot Ballroom Soundtrack “Menea” Mad Hot Ballroom Soundtrack

Movies: “Mad Hot Ballroom” “Take the Lead” “Come Dance with Me”

Please feel free to e-mail us at lhoughland@fhcds.org or lmagenheimer@fhcds.org for anymore information or for insight on the other dances we teach!