Square Dance Basics

A traditional American dance: four couples form a square and perform the figures the caller calls, such as honors, circle left, do-si-do, elbow swing and promenade. Students work on listening, reaction and following group rules.

How to play

1. Three squares of four couples with a cone on each side; each couple on one side, facing in, numbered 1 to 4 (3 min).
2. Figures without music: honor your partner, honor your corner, and 8-step circle left and right (4 min).
3. Do-si-do: pass right shoulders, go around back to back and return; then an 8-count right elbow swing (4 min).
4. Promenade: partners with crossed hands walk counterclockwise around the square back home (3 min).
5. With music, be the caller, linking 8-count figures and changing the order so students must listen (6 min).
6. Each square picks a student caller who calls a four-figure sequence; rotate twice (5 min).

Rules

• Only dance the figure the caller has called; don't jump ahead.
• After each figure, every couple goes back to its home side of the square.
• In swings and promenades, walk with short steps; don't run or pull your partner.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair can be a partner in the square with wider paths or serve as caller for part of the time.
• Hearing impairment: the caller shows a card with the figure's name and a picture for each call.
• Skill level: squares that need support dance slower with fewer figures; advanced squares add the grand right and left.

Learning goals

• Perform basic figures of a traditional group dance by following spoken calls.
• Keep the formation and spatial orientation inside the square.
• Call a sequence for the group using clear language.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music: 1
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

Draw the square with numbered couples on the whiteboard before starting. The most common mistake is forgetting to return home, so call "back home" at the end of every figure.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary