I call a super easy dance called "The Cat's Meow", usually to "Cry of the Celts" , from Lord of the dance.  It teaches phrasing quite well.  With a circle of 40+ children, they all seem to clap together.  (This dance came from Cal Campbell, but I am not sure of the author.)

A1  Walk in Four Steps, Clap Four Times
       Walk Out Four steps, Clap Four Times
B1 Circle Left Eight Steps, Circle Right Eight Steps (or Circle Left 16)

This dance might seem too easy, but it success brings many smiles and builds a foundation for the rest of the program.

https://youtu.be/EmwDsd_yf10

Rich Sbardella
Stafford Springs, CT




On Thu, Jan 30, 2020 at 1:16 PM Jonathan Sivier via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
    While that looks like a fun dance I don't think it is really appropriate for kids ages 4-10.

    You should check out the books from the New England Dancing Masters.  I have Chimes of Dunkirk, Sashay the Donut and Listen to the Mockingbird.  These have several good dances for kids.

    Here are some that I use at an annual dance I call at our local library.  The event is called the Fairy Tale Ball and I often feel like I'm standing in a sea of knee-high princesses.

The Blobs
Boston Tea Party
Chimes of Dunkirk
Circassian Circle - no-swing, non-mixer
Cumberland Reel
Duckpins
The Duke of York
Galopede
Heel and Toe Polka Promenade/Reel - longways, non-mixer
Jacob's Potato
Margate Hoy
Over The Top
Sasha
Snake
Traffic Jam

    Some are better than others depending on the age of the kids.  I like to have some suitable for slightly older kids in the list.

    I do a version of Circassian Circle with no swings and no mixing.  The kids (and some parents) get in a circle in groups.  Sometimes they are pairs, sometimes it is an adult with 3 or 4 kids.  All go into the center and back twice.  Then have different groups go in in A2, boys, girls, talls/smalls, those wearing red, etc.  Then the pairs/groups two-hand turn or circle and then everyone promenades around the big circle.  It can be hard to get very small kids to hold hands in a circle so I don't usually worry about trying to get them to do that.

Jonathan
-----
Jonathan Sivier
Caller of Contra, Square, English and Early American Dances
jsivier AT illinois DOT edu
Dance Page: http://www.sivier.me/dance_leader.html
-----
Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
A: It depends on what dance you call!

On 1/30/2020 7:49 AM, Luke Donforth via Contra Callers wrote:
> Hi Sandy,
>
> Happy to share Frannie's Alarm Clock.
>
> https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=12216
>
> Most of them aren't as good as that one, but the vast majority of my dances are now up on The Callers Box.
>
> Thank you Chris Page & Michael Dyck!
>
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