WB Dance Series, Set 5: Old Time Rock & Roll / Do Wah Diddy Diddy: Lyric/Choreography Pack & CD

Gilpin brings the sensibility of a seasoned music educator to choreography that actually works for elementary students. The two-song format gives you flexibility for different class sizes and skill levels, while the included CD with separated tracks means you can rehearse with or without the full performance sound. Kids stay engaged because the songs are culturally familiar and the moves feel achievable from day one.

Pure fun with a groove. These rock and roll standards bring energy and lightness to any program, with choreography that lets kids feel the beat without demanding technical skill. The combination of familiar songs and simple moves creates that irresistible moment when a room full of young performers suddenly moves as one.

Elementary school teachers, gym and dance specialists, and program directors running camps or after-school activities where movement and music go hand in hand. This resource works for mixed-ability groups, ages 6 and up, and requires no prior dance experience from participants or instructors.

• Start by teaching the lyrics separately before adding choreography. This builds confidence and lets students own the words before they focus on coordination.
• Use the accompaniment track in rehearsals to help students lock into the groove. Once they feel secure, switch to the full performance version for the final polish.
• Break the choreography into 8 or 16-count sections and master one section before linking it to the next. Students absorb movement better in digestible chunks.
• Create a performance tradition around these dances. Consistency across rehearsals helps students remember sequences and perform with more presence.

Slot these dances into concerts or assemblies as high-energy transition pieces or standalone performance numbers. They work equally well as icebreakers at the start of a program or as audience-engaging finales. Use them during spring or end-of-year events when energy and celebration are the goal.

• Rhythmic coordination between music and movement
• Memorization of sequence and lyrical content
• Ensemble cohesion and spatial awareness
• Confidence performing in front of an audience
• Listening for musical cues and transitions