«La Tarara»: Ruffles and Polka Dots Dance

We dance to the Spanish folk song «La tarara» using a scarf as a ruffle: on «sí» (yes) step to one side with the scarf up, on «no» step to the other side with the scarf down. In the verse about her polka-dot dress we tap dots all over our body. It works on coordination, left and right, and traditional dance.

How to play

1. Everyone with a scarf, dance freely, swishing it like a ruffle while the teacher sings (2 min).
2. Chorus: on «la tarara, sí» step to one side, scarf up; on «la tarara, no» step to the other side, scarf down (2 min).
3. In the polka-dot dress verse, tap a dot with the scarf on each body part: knee, shoulder, tummy, head (2 min).
4. In pairs facing each other, do the chorus like a mirror and at the end spin holding hands (3 min).
5. Big circle dance with all scarves going up and down (2 min).
6. Fold the scarf slowly and put it back in the box (1 min).

Rules

• My scarf stays close to my body.
• «Sí» one way, «no» the other.
• In pairs, I look at my partner.
• We don't throw scarves at each other.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: scarf up and down replaces the side step.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher uses a bright scarf and shows each «sí» and «no» very clearly.
• Autism: a marked spot on the floor to dance in and a scarf color they know.

Learning goals

• Coordinate side steps with arm movement.
• Tell the two sides of the body apart.
• Dance to a Spanish folk song.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Fabric scarves: 25

Teacher tip

Hand out scarves one by one from a box; if you dump them all, the first minute is spent swapping colors. This is the traditional folk song, not the poem by a known author that borrows it.

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