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Cha-Cha Slide
TOF
Description
A fun, energetic group dance where students follow step-by-step dance instructions from the song Cha Cha Slide. It builds on listening skills and bodily awareness.
Details
Mixed Age
Any number of players
Less than 5 minutes
No materials
Tags
Creativity, Emotional Expression, High Energy, Listening Skills, Body Awareness, Focused, Topic Specific, Auditory Memory, Sequential Memory
Instructions:
1. Listen to the song 'Cha Cha Slide' and follow the instructions as stated in the song:
Song link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1gMUbEAUFw
a. Clap your hands to the beat of the song.
b. Hop once with both feet.
c. Turn a quarter turn so that you are now facing to the left of where you started. This step requires using a modified grapevine, using the leg crossing to help you move into the turn.
d. Jump and cross your legs and immediately jump back to your starting position, called the "criss cross."
e. Bend over and put your hands on your knees.
f. Practice how well you can "freeze" when your mid-dance.
g. If the lyrics ask, "How low can you go?" dip down to the floor and then bring your body back up.
h. When the lyrics tell you to "reverse," some dancers do a 180-degree turn, some do a complete turn or spin in place, and some simply slide in the opposite direction.
Note: Do the Charlie Brown by jumping forward on one leg and then back on the other, kicking the front knee up as you jump back.
Variations & tips:
1. Break down the steps: Teach and practice each move slowly before playing the full song.
2. Have students count beats or clap along to reinforce rhythm and timing.
3. Offer lower-impact options for students with physical limitations (e.g., tapping feet instead of hopping, seated versions of moves).
4. After mastering the steps, invite students to invent their own moves or dance sequences.
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