Music IS Math: Waltzing

Music IS Math; which makes waltzing to the threes times table an unforgettable educational experience.

The absolute easiest dance step for a waltz tempo is this side to side version of step ball change as shown between minute marker 18 to 26.

x x 3 x x 6 x x 9

Of course, you don’t need dance steps to enjoy waltzing – teach your class to walk in a big circle with normal size and small size steps; thinking Big, small, small, Big, small, small.

Not ready to make your classroom into a dance floor?

• Have kids clap on the second and third beats; thinking open, clap, clap, open, clap, clap.
• Alternatively, they could clap on the first beat then snap with the right hand and snap with the left hand; thinking clap, snap (right), snap (left), clap snap, snap.
• Use a call and response format. You say, “One, two.” Kids say, “Three.” Count up and down the number line by threes.

Oom-Pah-Pah Oom-Pah-Pah Oom-Pah-Pah

Waltzing Music:

• We Will Rock You  Queen
• Elvis – Can’t help Falling in Love 
• The Blue Danube Waltz – Johann Strauss
• The Skater’s Waltz – by Emile Waldteufel (familiar and fun)
• Waltz of the Flowers – The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky
• Sleeping Beauty Waltz – Tchaikovsky
• Classical Waltzes
• Ten More Classical Waltzes

Like any good DJ plan your music so that it grabs your students’ attention, revs them up, and then gently settles them down in time for recess. Transitioning from We Will We Will ROCK YOU!! to a quiet handwriting lesson might be a bit challenging.

If you need an excuse to waltz – you might enjoy March 4th which is National Dance the Waltz Day. The date 3/4 represents the time signature of waltz music and is one of many dates with mathematical significance.

This is a fantastic occasion for exploring, three syllable adjectives – or any three syllable words.

Plus, there are some poems for children written in anapestic meter in with two unstressed syllables are followed by a stressed syllable. For example:

• A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore (kids could waltz to this!)
• The Owl and the Pussy-Cat by Edward Lear
• Trees by Joyce Kilmer (dated language – of course)
• Defence of Fort M’Henry by Francis Scott Key (you know this one!!)
• Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Remember to let the music, art, and PE teachers know that your students are skip counting by threes and waltzing to a 3/4 beat. Specialist teachers might be able to echo your math activities in their lessons.