Dance with a Ribbon
Movement and Music Activity 

Traditional Chinese Ribbon dance has a long history and very specific movements. However, dances are born every day, and you can do your own dance with a ribbon, a string, a veil, or another flowing type of fabric, and discover some of the beauty and fun of the Ribbon Dance.

What you need:
Pick your material. For a "ribbon" like the ones in the Chinese dance, you'll need a length of lightweight fabric 4 to 5 yards long, and about 45cm wide. You can place a stick or staff about 45 cm long in the corner of the ribbon and sew it up. When you dance, the sticks help you manipulate the ribbons into beautiful shapes.

Now, be inventive! Try using a different shape of fabric. Make a very large triangle, or square. This is especially fun and exciting to do with two or more people. See how the fabric moves when you dance with it. How can you work together to make the fabric flow into the shapes you want?

Teachers: Break your class up into groups of 4-6 children, and give each group a piece of fabric. Have them cut or sew the fabric into a ribbon or other shape, and create a dance featuring the fabric. Help them pick music to fit the mood of their dance. Have the groups show their dances to each other. This activity helps to promote co-operation and collaboration, as the children must work together to move together with the fabric and with each other.