[ABC] Keeping Grade 7 and 8 kids interested in dancing for a hour.

[Bob Summers]

Not truly an ABC issue but I'm sure the list members have plenty of 
experience with this.

Last year I did a square dance session with a full gym of students 
(several classes of grade 7's and 8's).  Session is just over an hour in 
length.

Except for a large circle dance at the beginning and a modified Virginia 
Reel, it always seemed an uphill battle trying to do some form of dance 
that actually resembles Square Dancing.  It was either their lack of 
attention, interest, execution, hand contact, etc or just some boys 
horsing around instead of dancing.

/*Circle Dance*: Nothing more than 4 steps forward and return (twice) 
(16 beats), once for the Girls (8), once for the Boys (8), Right Elbow 
Swing (8), Left Elbow Swing(8), Promenade (16) .../usually to Mickey 
Mouse - SR 601.
/*Virginia Reel*: longer than normal lines because running down the 
sides to go under the arch seemed the best part of the dance./

Apparently the kids enjoyed themselves (at least the school would like 
me to do it again).  However I didn't find it all that personally 
satisfying.  So before I agree to do it again, I'm trying to find dances 
that have more "self-entertainment" value that these kids will enjoy doing.

Does anyone have any advice or dances with kid-appeal that they could share?

Thanks

Bob Summers
Kemptville, Ontario, Canada
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