Ganggangsullae: The Full Moon Circle

A circle activity inspired by ganggangsullae, a traditional Korean circle dance performed under the full moon, where one voice sings and the group answers. We do it slower and slower to cool down while practicing rhythm and listening.

How to play

1. Holding hands in a circle, the teacher explains that in Korea, at the harvest festival, people dance in a circle under the full moon. Make a big round moon with our arms (1 min).
2. The teacher sings a made-up line ("The moon is rising slowly") and the circle answers "gang-gang-sullae" while walking to one side (1 min).
3. Keep going with call and response and change the move: the circle closes in, opens out, turns the other way, always at a calm pace (2 min).
4. Each time we go slower, until we're walking in slow motion and stop (1 min).
5. Sit down, look up at an imaginary moon and take three breaths, raising and lowering our arms (1 min).

Rules

• Keep holding hands in the circle.
• Answer when the teacher finishes the line.
• Slower and slower, like the moon.
• Walk at the same pace as your friends.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the circle matches the wheelchair's pace, and the child can be the one who sings the lines.
• Hearing impairment: signal the answer by lifting joined hands and lowering them at the end.
• Autism: if holding hands is uncomfortable, connect the circle with a hoop or rope.

Learning goals

• Move as a group to a rhythm that keeps slowing down.
• Answer a sung call.
• Learn about a traditional dance from Korea.

Teacher tip

You don't need the Korean lyrics: the answer "gang-gang-sullae" and your own made-up lines are enough. Lower your voice as you slow the pace.

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