RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

What Is Rhythmic Activity?

Stefan is a senior college student studying physical education. As he looks forward to his
upcoming graduation, he must choose a final project to demonstrate his learning. With a lifelong
background in music and performance, he chooses to create a rhythmic activity suitable for
students at his local high school.

Stefan explains that rhythmic activities are usually expressed as synchronized dancing with
preplanned movements. Some examples of rhythmic activities are line dancing, classic dances
like the waltz, and other popular social group dances.

Brief History of Swing Dance

Swing dance is a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in
the 1920s–1940s, with the origins of each dance predating the popular "swing era".
During the swing era, there were hundreds of styles of swing dancing, but those that
have survived beyond that era include: Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag,
and Charleston. Today, the most well-known of these dances is the Lindy Hop, which
originated in Harlem in the early 1930s While the majority of swing dances began
in African American communities as vernacular African American dances, some
influenced swing-era dances, like Balboa, developed outside of these communities.
"Swing dance" was not commonly used to identify a group of dances until the latter half
of the 20th century. Historically, the term "Swing" referred to the style of jazz music,
which inspired the evolution of the dance. Jitterbug is any form of swing dance, though it
is often used as a synonym for the six-count derivative of Lindy Hop called "East Coast
Swing" It was also common to use the word to identify a kind of dancer (i.e., a swing
dancer). A "jitterbug" might prefer to dance Lindy Hop, Shag, or any of the other swing
dances. The term was famously associated with swing era band leader Cab
Calloway because, as he put it, "[The dancers] look like a bunch of jitterbugs out there
on the floor due to their fast, often bouncy movements."
The term "swing dancing" is often extended to include other dances that do not have
certain characteristics of traditional swing dances: West Coast Swing, Carolina
Shag, East Coast Swing, Hand Dancing, Jive, Rock and Roll, Modern Jive, and other
dances developed during the 1940s and later. A strong tradition of social and
competitive boogie woogie and Rock 'n' Roll in Europe add these dances to their local
swing dance cultures.]

What is the importance of Dancing?

Dance teaches the importance of movement and fitness in a variety of ways through a variety of
disciplines. As well, dancers learn to coordinate muscles to move through proper
positions. Dancing is a great activity to pursue at almost any age provided you are in proper
health to handle the rigors of dancing for life.
 PHASES OF THE DANCE PROGRAM

1. Creative Rhythms
Are sometimes called fundamental rhythms or natural dances. A creative
rhythm is an end product of exploration and improvisation of movements as
children learn to move the parts of their body and to use them as instruments
of expression.

2. Folk/ Ethnic dance

Is a cultural art form handed down from generation to generations. It
communicates the customs, beliefs, rituals, and occupations of the people of
a region or country. Folk dancing belongs to the people. It emanates from
them. Ethnic tribes have their specific tribal art forms originated and danced
by the people of the tribe.

3. Social and Ballroom Dance

The setting of the social and ballroom dance is a social gathering with the
more formal atmosphere than the simple and informal parties in which the
recreational dances are the usual forms. Social and ballroom dancing are
generally held in the evenings. The participants are usually in formal attire.

4. Recreational Dance
Includes dance mixers, square dance round and couple dances. Many of
these dances have simple patterns and combinations of walking steps, polka
step and the waltz step. The setting is usually informal gatherings and parties,
reunions etc.

5. Creative Dance
Is the highest form of dance. It is the end-product of exploration and
improvisation of movements as the dancer or the choreographer expresses
his feelings or emotions, ideas, and interpretations. This is a dance with a
definite form, a beginning and an ending. The principles of art form are all
observed in the composition of the dance.
 Examples of creative dance are ballet, jazz,and modern or contemporary
dance.

What are the steps used in Swing Dance?

The Lindy Hop Swingout
1. Rock step. (Take a step back with your full weight, then transfer the weight to your front
foot while keeping it in place.)
2. Triple step. (Take a step to your side. Bring your feet together. Take another step to
your side.)
3. Walk.
4. Walk.
5. Triple step.
Physical
Education
2

NAME: ANGELICA B. MARIANO.

YEAR/ COURSE: BSOA 1205

TEACHER: MR. CASIANO PASIA