Troik

Folk Dance
Grade Level: 4

Objectives:

1. Students will learn a Russian folk dance

2. Students will learn to count in time to the music

Time: 8-10 minutes

Lesson design by Kristie
Sommerfeld & Sarah
Wichmann

History: The Troika is a traditional Russian folk dance. Several

Russian folk dances exist but the Troika is well known for being a trio
dance. Traditionally, two women and one man performed the dance
together; however, it is more and more common to just see trios of
people performing the dance, most often three women. Aside from the
pairing of dancers, the other features of the Troika are the rhythms and
the horse-like steps. Troika dances alternate from a faster to a slower
rhythm, and go back again. The word 'troika' means 'three horses' in
Russian, which makes clear both the trio of dancers and the copying of
horse-like movements in the dancers' steps.

Activity/ Procedure
Part I: Running
1. Groups of three join hands and stand in line
2. Run in circle (CCW) for 16 counts
Part II: Arches

Formation
Groups of three, in a
line
Groups form a circle

1. For 8 counts: inside person and center raise joined hands.

Outside person dances forward (continuing to hold hands with
center) and dives through the arch and returns to original
position, center person follows outside person through arch and
returns to original position
2.
For 8 counts: Outside person and center raise joined hands.
Inside person dances forward (continuing to hold hands with
center) and dives through the arch and returns to original
position, center person follows inside person through the arch
and returns to original position
Part III: Dance in Circle
1. Outside person and inside person join hands to create circle.
2. For 12 counts: groups of three dance clockwise (CW) in a circle

3. For 16 counts: reverse spin and dance counter clockwise (CCW)

in a circle
4. For 4 counts: outside person and inside person release hands
and (both continue holding hands with center person) and return
to original line

Common Core Standards:

1. Motor Learning
a. A.4.2 Students will define and maintain personal space
and move safely in groups throughout the general space
b. A.4.9 Students will demonstrate rhythmic awareness by
moving to a musical beat and responding to changes in
tempo
2. Kinesthetic Awareness
a. B.4.4 Students will develop strength, flexibility,
balance, and neuromuscular coordination
3. Critical Thinking
a. E.4.1 Students will identify how dance movement is
similar to and different from ordinary movement
4. Making Connections
a. H.4.1 Students will perform folk dances from various
cultures within a historical and cultural context