Basic Appalachian Circle Dance

Building community and group cohesion, circle dances can be found in many different cultures. You
should plan to be the “caller” of this dance. Aim for 8 beats of music per movement (or longer if your
students need it).

1. “All join hands and circle to the left.”

2. “Halfway back down the same old track.” Holding hands, circle back to the right.
3. “Step with your feet and clap the beat.” Drop hands and clap to the rhythm while circling.
4. “Come into the center with a whoop and a holler.” Grasp hands, walk to the center of the
circle with a whoop, then back out.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 in any order you choose.
6. To end the dance, position yourself in the circle of students while they are circling left. Let go
of the hand of the student on your left. Lead the line of students (with hands still joined)
around the room, out the door, or wherever you would like to take them.

Basic Appalachian Circle Dance Music Suggestions

“A Bear With a Fiddle in the Middle of the Woods” by Brent Holmes

“Black-Eyed Daisy” by the Carolina Chocolate Drops

Hora

The hora is a traditional dance that is popular in Israel and Eastern Europe and enjoyed at weddings and
other festive celebrations. The dance is done in a circle with joined hands and uses the 4-count
“grapevine” step.

​ f the right foot, shifting weight to the left

Count 1. Moving to the right, lift the left foot and cross it in ​front o
foot.

Count 2. Move the right foot right to join the left foot.

Count 3. Move the left foot ​behind ​the right as weight is shifted to the left foot.

Count 4. The right foot joins the left again.

Repeat numerous times. When your students are comfortable, mix it up:

● Stop, raise joined hands, move toward the center of the circle and back out again, and then
resume grapevine.
 ● The leader (you first, later a student) drops the hand of the person on the right and leads the
line around the room.

Hora Music Suggestions

“Hora” from The Greek Folk Instruments: Clarinet

“Hava Nagila” (any version)

“Freylekh Jamboree” by the Klezmer Conservatory Band

Scarf dance

Inspired by a women’s dance from Togo, West Africa, this is a simple and fun dance activity for any age.
Gather enough unique scarves so that each student will have one. The scarves must be long enough for
students to loop around their waist.

1. Standing in a circle, loop scarf loosely around hips and hold it (don’t tie!) together in front with the left
hand.

2. Turn to the right and use the right hand to loosely hold the scarf of the person in front of you.

3. Step forward with the right foot, leaning slightly forward with the upper body.

4. Bring the left foot to the right, and stand up straight again.

5. Repeat 6 to 8 times.

6. Stop. Remove and pass scarf to the person behind.

Repeat steps 1 through 6 until scarves are back where they started.

Scarf Dance Music Suggestions​ The dance is traditionally done with all dancers singing a
call-and-response chant while dancing. Try “A Chant From West Africa” or another song from​ Call and
Response​ by Ella Jenkins.

Source:
https://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/how-to/tipsheets/early-elementary-social-dance#Circle