“I Go First, Then You Go.”
Call and response originated within the African culture as a pattern of democratic participation. It occurred in religious rituals and in public gatherings. This tradition was transmitted to other cultures with the slave trade to the new world. And, now it has crossed over into sporting events, children’s songs, and cuban music, to name a few. Call and response can be a verbal or nonverbal interaction between speaker and listener. The statements ('calls') are punctuated by expressions ('responses') from the listener. (Wikipedia)
Remember the song Let Me Clear My Throat, by DJ Kool?
“When I say Hey, you say Ho.”
“Hey”! “Ho”! “Hey”! “Ho”!
In dance, call and response is when a soloist performs then the group performs after. I want to discuss how call and response is not JUST a musical form or dance structure. It can be used as an instructional strategy for teaching dance movements effectively. Your classroom management will also improve greatly with the use of call and response. I have noticed this strategy develops listening skills, attentiveness, concentration, taking turns, memory, recall, and most of all self control. They have to control their impulse to move when I am a demonstrating the movement. The students are asked to WAIT and WATCH and LISTEN to the demonstration before they can then try it themselves.
*Words or phrases I use to elicit a call and response pattern:
“I go first, then you go.” or “I go then you go.”
“First me, then you.”
In the dance class I have them respond sometimes just with their bodies and sometimes will include vocal or rhythmic responses.
Clapping a rhythm like (1 2 3 & 4) and students respond back with same rhythm
Call “Criss Cross” and students respond: “Applesauce”
Singing the rhythm of the steps (ta ta te te ta) and students respond (ta ta te te ta)
Demonstrate movement then they try to imitate what I did ( good for memory /retention of what came before).
*All students populations can benefit greatly from the use of call and response including but not limited to English Language Learners, Special needs, Gifted and General Education students. This strategy is beneficial in any grade level and with any subject. Whether you teach math or science, music or dance, call and response strengthens students language and listening skills. Call and response is is a prime example of how to model appropriate behavior and get the desired response. It has been life changing for my classroom management as well. Common pitfalls with this strategy occur when they are not listening with their whole body. For this to work effectively, they should be listening with their eyes, ears and with their bodies still. Wait for this to happen first if you want a successful response.
Remember: “I go first, then you go.”
It might just change your life, or at least your teaching.
Thanks for stopping by!
Alison