Square Dancing

Through preservation and repetition, square dances have attained the status of a folk dance. The Western American square dance may be the most widely known form worldwide, possibly due to its association in the 20th century with the romanticized image of the American cowboy. Square dancing is, therefore, strongly associated with the United States. Nineteen U.S. states have designated it as their official state dance.

Bacich students all participated in a square dance unit! Beginning in TK and kindergarten, students learned to work cooperatively, holding hands, walking in a circle. They practiced listening to the caller's cue from the music to know which way to walk next. They walked left, right and into the center, all while holding hands and working as a team. Students were mindful of their bodies and keeping them in control so as not to pull anyone down.

First and Second grade practiced the moves from TK and kindergarten as well as added new moves: "honor your partner" where students learned to look their partner in the eye and bow (or curtsy if they like) to their partner; hooking arms at the elbow and "swinging their partner"; as well as moved into the traditional square layout. These dancers also learned to "promenade" their partner, where they hold hands like ice skaters (crossed over) and walk around the square together.

Third and Fourth grade practiced all the moves from previous years as well as added new moves: head couples and side couples came together to "do-si-do"; students learned their corner partner and practiced swinging with both their partner and corner partner (keeping track of right and left arm swinging!); finally dancers got fancy making a star with their hands in the middle and circling around.

Kindergarten

1st Grade

3rd Grade