Rhythms & Dance
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The Old Brass Wagon The Hustle
The Water Dance Seven Jumps
Square Scramble Toss to the Beat!
Talking Drum Make it Up
Pop Goes the Weasel-Great Britain Tokyo Dontaku- Obon
The Bunny Hop - USA Rocking the Jukebox
The Mexican Hat Dance - Mexico Add-on Line Dancing
Agadu-International/Israeli Whoomp Dance
Sevivon-Israel (Hanukah dance) Soul Walk
Bongo-Trinidad and West Africa 5, 6, 7, 8 Line Dance
Paddle Dance/French-Canadian Stayin' Alive
The Rhythm Sticks The Rebel Strut
The Storm Bus Stop
Fly, Butterfly, Fly! Celebration
Shape Up! Syrtos Dance
Barnereinlender- Norse Dance Tinikling
Santa in a Red Canoe-Hawaii Tsakonikos Dance Ancient Greek
Hula-Hula-Hoopla! Electric Slide
Move With Me! Men in Black Line Dance
Streamers Galore Shortenin' Bread Shuffle
The Heat is On The Rise
Yan Petit-Southern France 6 Tush Push

PPEP-PALS Lesson Sharing
Teacher & School: Rebekah Martinez - River Oak Charter School
Activity Grade Level
The Mexican Hat Dance - Mexico K - 3
Equipment Needs
  • Sombrero or other hat
  • Music player and music
Facility/Playground Needs Space for group to scatter within play area (30 x 30 paces) facing each other.
Lesson Objective (Psychomotor and/or Cognitive):

Body awareness, non-locomotor and locomotor skills, rhythm/timing, cultural awareness
Teaching Hints:

Alternate dance strategies for specific group skill levels.
Description:

This dance is a Mexican folk dance that is traditionally performed around a hat.

Dance Steps

  1. Do all moves 8xs
  2. "There's a special dance": Jump and tap each heel alternately forward 3xs starting with the R foot.
  3. Clap hands 2xs
  4. "And we'll all dance": Hook R elbows with partner, run in small steps in a circle for counts. Reverse with L elbows hooked for 8 counts. Repeat.
  5. Show good body control when you swing in a circle with your partner.
  6. Repeat all moves from the beginning.

Lyrics

There's a special dance,

That Mexicans like to do.

They dance around a hat,

And clap with their hands one, two!

Musical Interlude

And we'll all dance the Mexican Hat Dance,

Around and around we will go,

And we'll all dance the Mexican Hat Dance,

Around and around we will go!
Alternatives/Modifications
  • Alternating forward straddle jumps is easier than alternating jumps and heel taps. Instead of hooking elbows, partners form R and L hand stars by alternating R and L palms together high in middle.
  • For advanced learners: Each student has own soccer ball. Alternate jumping and tapping feet on top of ball. Instead of elbows turns, dribble ball in open space.
Reference SPARK P.E. Curriculum