Dance Map: Pick Up and Place Each Dance on the World

While putting the equipment away, groups carry cards with dance names to a world map laid out on the floor with ropes and cones. It's a walking cool-down that reviews where the dances they've practiced come from.

How to play

1. The teacher lays out a simple map with ropes for continents and cones for some key countries (1 min).
2. In groups, each student picks up one piece of equipment and one dance card scattered around the yard, walking only (2 min).
3. Each group places its cards on the right country and puts the equipment away (2 min).
4. Map review: each continent's group explains one card and shows its typical step in slow motion (2 min).
5. Fix any misplaced cards together and pick up the map (1 min).

Rules

• Walking only.
• One card per trip per person.
• If a card looks misplaced, ask the group before moving it.
• Use the correct names for countries and peoples, no nicknames.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: large-print cards and a partner who describes the map.
• Students with limited mobility: they place the cards others bring and check the countries.
• Students who struggle with reading: cards with a drawing of the step or typical instrument.

Learning goals

• Connect traditional dances with where they come from.
• Put equipment away in an orderly, cooperative way.
• Bring intensity down by walking and talking.

Equipment for a class of 25

• dance cards: 16
• ropes: 6
• cones: 8

Teacher tip

Laminate the cards and keep them for the whole term. A large printed map on the floor works as well as ropes. Include dances from Spain and Mexico so the ones close to home get placed too.

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