Bears Dance the Waltz

Children are bears learning to waltz: one strong stomp and two soft steps, "OOM-pa-pa," first alone and then with a partner. Children practice feeling three beats and the strong first beat.

How to play

1. Standing, the teacher counts "OOM-pa-pa" with one stomp and two little claps, and the bears repeat it (2 min).
2. Play a waltz and the bears sway from foot to foot, stomping on the "OOM" (2 min).
3. The bears stroll around the room to the waltz: a big stomp and two little tiptoe steps (3 min).
4. In pairs holding hands, turn slowly to "OOM-pa-pa" (3 min).
5. The waltz ends: the bears yawn, take a bow, and lie down to sleep (2 min).

Rules

• The big stomp comes first.
• Dance carefully around your partner's feet.
• When the music ends, bow and go to sleep.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: tap one strong and two soft beats on the wheelchair while a partner dances around them.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher exaggerates the stomp so it can be felt through the floor and also shows it with an arm.
• Autism: allow dancing alone or with an adult instead of a classmate.

Learning goals

• Feel and mark a three-beat pattern.
• Tell the strong beat from the soft beats.
• Learn a traditional partner dance.

Equipment for a class of 25

• música

Teacher tip

Choose a slow, public-domain instrumental waltz, such as one by Strauss or a folk waltz. Saying "OOM-pa-pa" out loud helps more than counting numbers.

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