Submitted by Joni Kotche, Bloomingdale, Illinois

Idea posted December 4, 2002

I made up a dance for "The Ballad Of Johnny Appleseed" (from Music K-8, Vol. 9, No. 1) yesterday. I tried it with my second grade classes. It took them a little bit to get the do-si-do right, but then they "took off" on it!

Begin by pairing boy/girl couples with the boys ACROSS from the girls forming two long lines. Do nothing on the intro except feel the music.

Verse

  • 4X Walk forward four beats (bow/dip on 4), back four beats

Refrain

  • Do-si-do forward 8 beats, move round your partner RIGHT SHOULDERS passing (left shoulders will pass on the way back) backward 8 beats.
  • Move forward 4 beats with hand outstretched, take partners' hand turn around and walk back 4 beats to place.
  • Begin again.

For repeated chorus at end

  • Repeat patterns twice
  • "That's All!" - bow/curtsy to partner

Hope that makes sense. It really uses up their energy (and mine because I had to be a partner!), but they LOVED it!

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