formations on them to give newcomers an idea of what is ahead. There is a sound system set up with a wireless microphone for my use and a place for someone to help play the music through the PA system. And I completely clear the stage to be used as the “Kiddie Corral” for students in K and 1st grade. It is crowded, but they love being up there and they don’t have to worry about being run over by their older counterparts! I have wonderful former student teachers, colleagues, and outside music teachers who come help that night. Some help man the “Kiddie Corral” and keep things going up as smoothly as possible. Others help on the main floor, especially when the dances are forming. I even have 2 faculty members serving as “bouncers” to walk the perimeter of the gym to encourage those who aren’t dancing to join in the fun! In the weeks before the FFDN, in addition to working on the dances with students in grades 1-4, I’ve invited colleagues to come learn the dances. These colleagues love participating and serve as brilliant “leaders” that night.
I plan and prepare for 6-7 dances, knowing that I will be lucky to
get through five. I choose an opening mixer dance like Sasha to really get everyone excited and dancing with as many different partners as possible. I then move on to a very simple circle dance like Les Saluts or Blaydon Races, encouraging circles of anywhere from 10-20 dancers. We move on to a more challenging circle dance like Heel and Toe Polka or Circassian Circle before getting into longwise formations. Depending on how the crowd is doing, we may do a very simple longwise forma- tion dance like Chimes of Dunkirk or Alabama Gal. If I feel that they can handle it, though, I may move on to something like The Noble Duke of York or Kings and Queens. I end with a square dance, such as Simple Square. All of the dances I mentioned can be found from the “New England Dance Masters” books at
dancingmasters.com, a won- derful resource. As far as providing snacks, there are many different opinions on the subject. I have decided to allow food only at the very end of the night. No food setup can begin in the gym until the last dance is al- ready happening, thus avoiding not giving adults the chance to stop dancing and congregate around the food table to chat. This has worked well, but I understand why others would simply say no to the idea of adding another layer to the night’s responsibilities. The 4th grade holds a bake sale after the dance to help raise money for their end of the year activities. This has the added benefit of increasing goodwill with the PTO. I reiterate often that the focus of the night is making music in community. I hope that you will attempt an event like this- though it can be exhausting, it is well worth the effort. To end, I would like to share the lists I have that help me prepare starting a year before, in hopes that it will help you, too!
YEAR BEFORE: • Choose date • Make building/facilities request and contact the fire marshall • Choose PTO Parent Chair/Talk to parents about 4th grade bake sale
MONTH BEFORE:
• Send home RSVP sheet to 1st-4th • Invite all faculty, staff, and admin personally • Decide on decorations • Double check re: any outside gym or club events being cancelled • Begin to teach or review 5-6 dances in preparation w/2-4th • Teach the easier dances in the 2 weeks before to K-1st
MARCH 2017 45
WEEK OF:
• Count up attendance from slips and divide by grade • Choose helpers from 4th grade to be leaders/head couples • Clean stage completely, put risers on the side • Write out announcements for before and after, notes on each dance • Talk to kids about helping with their parents dancing • Drink water • Send out this reminder to parents via email blast and on blog:
DON’T FORGET! Tomorrow night, from 6:30-7:30 pm in the gym, we will be holding our Fleetwood Family Folkdance Night. Here are a couple of important things to know ahead of time to help make things go smoothly: • Dress comfortably (especially your shoes!) it may get a little warm.
• Coats can be placed in the Art Room. • If you have a child who is between 1 and 5, you are wel- come to sign them into the music room starting at 6:20 pm. My own children will show a movie so that you’re more free to dance.
• This night is about being together, so please participate if you are at all able. I know it’s hard, but shed your inhibi- tions and join in with your kids, who’ve been working SO hard to show you these dances!
• All food and drinks will be out AFTER the dancing ends at 7:30 pm.
• There will be a 4th grade bake sale that is a fundraiser for the class, please bring a few dollars and coins to help out our kids.
DAY OF:
• Turn up A/C once school day ends • Make a “Dancing Perimeter” with tape around the gym where it is the official dance zone and a Talking Zone maybe in the hallway outside the gym
• Tape floor: l1 longwise formations. Tape the stage: 4 longwise formations
• Hang big banner and dance formation posters on big marker board • Set up sound system and check mics • Set up 2 step risers, music stand, and a stool for me to use for calling dances
• Water and Gong (for silent signal) on the stage • PURELL out across the stage • Set up Music Room for babysitting • Set up Art Room for coats
THAT NIGHT: Establish the “quiet signal” – have students demonstrate Thank students, attendees, visitors helping, PTO chair and volunteers, admin
No texting or Facebooking during the dance, pictures/video only! Announce fire egress Littles to the “Kiddie Corral”
& TEMPO
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