Square Dancing - Still Alive and Well
Do you remember the elementary and middle school days of Square Dancing? Well, just in case you thought that was a dying activity, rest easy. It is still very much alive and well at Lonedell R-14 School District! Mrs. Miller's 6-8th grade music class has spent the last couple of weeks learning to Do Sa Do.
Folk dancing has a long history in Missouri, and the Square Dance is Missouri's official Folk Dance. Learning to square dance may seem a bit old fashioned, but it gives students a rich lesson in our history including folk music, folk dancing, and the ability to listen and respond to calls. Mrs. Miller uses the "Get Ready To Square Dance" program. Students are learning to listen for the square dance calls of Do Sa Do, Promenade, Swing, Allemande, and many others. Each class begins with creating a new square so the students aren't always dancing with the same partner.
Recently, an 8th grade class was joined by Mr. Dierker who partnered up with Mrs. Miller. During that class an 8th grade boy stated, "This sounded so stupid, but that was really fun!" Followed quickly by an 8th grade girl exclaiming, "Yeah, can we please start over and do it all again, that was a blast!"