INTRODUCTION TO THE UNIT: It is important to convey to your students that the folk unit will introduce them to all the basic steps that they will encounter in future dance units as well as sport units. The idea of learning about the culture of other countries is more about educating ourselves about the vast array of people we live with, work with and go to school with in our everyday lives. The United States is truly a Multicultural Country, so how fitting to teach Multicultural Folk Dance. There are explanations of all the dances in the book as well as on tape. It is ok to show the dance to your students from the tape if you have that capability at your schools. There are also fun trivia bits about each country and about the dances in the book. You can use this to your favor by giving them extra credit for finding out more about the country, or possibly just remembering the trivia you give them from lesson to lesson. Begin each lesson with a team building activity and then move on to the dance for the day. If you have time, you can also do a stretch circuit following each dance lesson.  You don't have to do the lessons listed here, these are just suggestions! 

Teach or Re-Teach the Virginia Reel – The American Folk Dance!