Meet the Virginia Reel

Students will learn to dance the Virginia Reel.

A lesson plan for grades 1–2 Dance Arts Education

By Jo James

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Related topics

• Learn more about Virginia Reel, arts, and dance.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• dance the Virginia Reel as the caller calls the dance
• demonstrate how an audience behaves
• dance with a partner
• follow directions
• remember a pattern and follow it

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

70 minutes

Materials/resources

“Virginia Reel” from All Time Favorite Dances CD

Technology resources

CD player

Pre-activities

• Explain that square dancing is a partner dance and that a person calls the dance.
• Explain the terms used in the song: “Honor your Partner,” “Dos-a-do Your Partner,” “Cast Off.”
• Think about “Head Couple”, maybe choose students who are not leaders for this job. It will really boost their self confidence.

Activities

Students will listen to the Virginia Reel song. Teacher will demonstrate parts of the dance. Teacher will teach the dance in two stages.

1. Have class select partners (girl, boy). Make 2 lines with partners facing each other. Have only half of the class dance at a time, the others will be the audience.
   • “Honor you’re Partner” (girls curtsy, boys bow)
   • “Forward 2 steps, back 2 steps” (twice)
   • “Right To Your Partner, Round You Go” (partners join right hands and walk in circle clockwise)
   • “Left Hand Now, Don’t Be Slow” (parnters join left hands and walk in circle counterclockwise)
   • “Forward, Both Hands Around” (partners join both hands and walk in circle clockwise)

   Repeat as many times as needed. Let each group dance several times. Some students catch on fast while others may need more practice.

2. Choose a head couple.
   • “Dos-a-do Your Partner” (walk forward passing partner with right shoulder, making a box, return to place passing left shoulder)
   • “Head Couple Down The Center” (head couple join hands and slid 8 steps down the line and back)
   • “Cast Off” (dancers play follow the leader, leader makes a circle by going to the back of the line moving up and stopping when they reach their original spot.
   • “Head Couple Form an Arch” (head couple join hands like London Bridge)
   • “Join Hands Passing Through” ( 2nd couple join hands and pass through arch going to the end of the line and sliding back into position, other couples follow)

   Repeat as many times as needed. Let each group dance several times. Some students catch on fast while others may need more practice.

Assessment

• Teacher will watch class as they dance.
• Teacher will observe the children following directions.
• Teacher may have to reteach some parts of the dance.
• Teacher will observe the audience and redirect their attention if needed.
• Class may dance for their parents or other children.

Supplemental information

Teacher may watch TNN dance classes on TV.

Comments

I loved teaching the Virginia Reel to my students. Everyone enjoyed the dance time. This is a good dance for teachers also. Be patient! This is a difficult dance, and I suggest that it be taught near the end of the year.