Get In the “Swing” of
Things…Teach Dance!
Kate Cox
Corte Madera School
kcox@pvsd.net
History of Dance at CMS
Why and how we
started our dance
program
 Professional
development
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Session Objectives
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Participants will leave with the knowledge, skills
and confidence to teach swing dance when they
return to school.
Participants will learn by doing.
Have fun!!!
Standards Addressed

Meets standards in Physical Education, Dance
and Performing Arts
Lifelong fitness and healthy living
 Enjoyment
 Self-expression
 Social interaction
 Challenge
 Personal and social behavior and responsibility
 Choreographic process
 Rhythm

Who can teach dance?

EVERYONE!!!
 Teachers with very little dance experience to
professional dancers can have effective
dance programs
 Models risk taking
 Your enthusiasm and energy is contagious
amongst your students
Essential components for the 1st
day of dance
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Clear expectations
High expectations and standards for ALL
Everyone dances
Know the dance
Demonstrate finished product
 Captures, motivates and inspires student
learning
Identify potential pitfalls (problem students)
Pitfalls/Areas of Concern
 Communication
 Verbal
 Non-verbal
•
•
Sweatshirts
Body language
(ex. rolled eyes)
Teaching Progression

Progression
 Step 1
 Step 1 + music
 Step 2
 Step 2 + music
 Step 1 & 2 + music
 Etc.
Stages of Motor Learning

Verbal Cognitive Stage
 Say it, Do it
 Cues are very helpful when first learning a
dance/skill
 Visual learners appreciate having cues on the
wall for reference
Teaching Cues
One word or syllable per
step
 Starting cue for Swing
 Rock step, ready, go
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Choosing and rotating partners
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Everyone participates
Unequal numbers of men and women
 Solo dancers
Rotate often to vary partners and include solo
dancers
Stand in dance position in specified area
Teaching Progression Cont.
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Routine format
 Helps build confidence and rhythm
 Reduces anxiety
 Takes pressure off leader
 Teacher still provides instruction in how to
lead and follow for each move
Freestyle
 Once students master routine, then allow
them to choose to dance freestyle
Program promotion
Get kids on board
 Invite administrators, teachers and
community members to observe
 Culminating activity
 Lunchtime Dance
 Board presentation with student
demonstration

Swing Steps and Cues
Basic
 Rock step, side,
side
 Fly-by
 Rock step, fly, by
 Single under
 Rock step, fly, by
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Swing Steps and Cues (cont.)
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Catch her
 Rock step, catch,
her
Push her
 Rock step, push,
her
Swing Steps and Cues (cont.)
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He Goes
 Rock step, he
goes
She Goes
 Rock step, she
goes
London bridge
 Rock step,
London bridge
Swing Steps and Cues (cont.)
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Pretzel
 Rock step, Pretzel
 Rock step, belt
buckle
 Rock step, single
under
Music
The Brian Setzer Orchestra
 Jump Jive an’ Wail
 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
 Used for jump swing
 Go Daddy O
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Thanks for Coming!
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Questions/Comments?

Kate Cox
kcox@pvsd.net
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