Tips for Teaching Israeli Dance
Do:
Watch the Youtube videos
This is our standard for how to do the dances correctly. Beginner 1 & Beginner 2 videosEmphasize right-foot dominant
Remind students "Right foot free" at the beginning of the teach and dance.Be intentional with cadence
Speak on the beat to help students with timing.Count out beats
"Walk 2 3 4, Sway 2 3 4".Be consistent with your calls
Calls are already developed for Beginner 1 and 2 dances. Try to use the same language for other teaches.Be enthusiastic
Are we having fun yet? HECK YES!!!Mark the middle of circle
If you have a small group, it helps them to have an object marking the middle of the circle.
Don't:
Don't give unnecessary detail
Don't explain how a step is a variation of another step, for example. The student has limited brain space.Don't overwork it
Students get bored quickly when we explain the same point too long. Remember, it's just a folk dance.