Coordination, balance, teamwork, CA social studies standards do not include Philippino culture, but the age of explorers could tie in or the beat of tinikling (Long, short, short) is the same as the poetry of ancient Greece- matching the original cadence of the Iliad and the Odyssey and they also match the Native American poem of Hiawatha. These epic poems could be coordinated to the movements of the tinikling.

Start slow! One can use lines of tape for dancers to practice with before graduating to poles. Pole handlers should practice without dancers for a while.

Pole directions:

With bamboo holders sitting cross legged at end of parallel poles, thumbs are on top and fingers underneath, Pole holders are watching the dancer's feet carefully

Beat 1:poles are struck together

Beat 2-3: poles are separated about 18-24 inches and tap the wooden blocks underneath 2 times.

Dancer Directions:

Traditionally 2 dancers perform together. They can hold hands, face the same direction, towards each other or away form each other, or jump in and out on opposite poles. Arm movements parallel foot movements.

To begin:

Beat 1: dancers stamp foot closest to pole in place.

Beat 2-3: toe tap in between poles 2 times. This is repeated until dancers gain confidence

Basic Pattern:

Beat 1(if to the left of the poles) begin by hopping on L foot or lifting R leg

Beat 2:step or leap sideways onto R

Beat 3:step or leap onto L

Beat 4: leap onto R outside of the poles on the other side

Beat 5: step or leap sideways onto L between poles

Beat 6: step or leap onto R next to L

Variations include: turning in a circle as you go, instead of going across the poles on count 4 go back to the original side, jump astride both poles, jump with both feet inside poles, bunny hop with both feet together to the beats.

Advanced Tinikling includes: 2 sets of poles set perpendicular to each other.