Seven Jumps Danish Folk Dance

A Danish circle dance in which, after each round of step-hops, the music pauses on long notes and dancers hold poses that add up: lift one knee, then the other, kneel, put elbows and forehead down. Students work on balance, listening and memory.

How to play

1. One or two circles holding hands, facing in, on a clean floor or thin mats (1 min).
2. Chorus: seven step-hops right and a jump, seven left and a jump; then let go of hands (3 min).
3. Pause: a long note sounds and you hold a pose without moving. Pose 1: right knee up, hands on hips (2 min).
4. Each chorus adds one pose: 2, left knee; 3, right knee down; 4, both knees; 5, right elbow; 6, left elbow; 7, forehead down (8 min).
5. Dance it all with music; anyone who moves on a long note is not out, they just redo the pose (4 min).

Rules

• Hold perfectly still and quiet during each long note.
• Lower yourself slowly to kneel; never drop onto your knees.
• During step-hops, keep holding hands without pulling your neighbor.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair does arm poses (raise one arm, the other, touch knees, cross elbows, bow the head) and turns the chair on the chorus.
• Autism: preview the pose for each pause with picture cards.
• Balance or fitness: allow one hand on the floor or on a partner during kneeling poses.

Learning goals

• Hold static balance poses during long notes.
• Remember a cumulative sequence of seven poses.
• Perform a traditional European dance by following the structure of the music.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music: 1

Teacher tip

The fun is all in the long note: build the suspense and keep a straight face; kids laugh and try harder. In an outdoor court, use thin mats for the knee and elbow poses.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary