Social games and group dances; a collection of games and dances suitable for community and social use

Front matter

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SOCIAL GAMES GROUP DANCES

Introduction

For a number of years the authors of this volume have been testing the practical value of social games and group dances for children of all ag ,s and also for adults. They have had gratifying success in devising games and dances which make a strong appeal to young and old alike. The writer of this Introduction has often observed Professor Elsom and Professor Trilling take groups of children or grown persons who were diffident, restrained and illat-ease in each other's presence and quickly make them forget their embarrassment so that they participated readily and gladly in what was going on. These players or dancers of whatever age always had a good time. They " let gO' of themselves," to use a phrase which they have often been heard to use in describing their experiences in these games and dances. Their tensions were quickly released and their social impulses' and desires were indulged. So they were benefited physically as well as socially; they were really humanized during these play-hours because they learned how tO' enjoy one another and to appreciate the versatility and companionability of each other. The chief reason why a person so often does not see anything to admire or enjoy in others is because they are stiff, awkward, inhibited when they are togetlier. They do not reveal any

4 INTRODUCTION

human traits to one another; and so why should they like each other or wish to be together?

The writer has observed the change in social relations and aittitudes which has taken place in groups of mature persons who have, during a few weeks each summer for several years, participated in the games and dances described in this volume. They have been transformed socially, and they have greatly enjoyed the experiences which were responsible for their transformation. They have been made more spontaneous and unconstrained in their intercourse with their fellows, and less self-conscious and self -critical. They really have been put in the way of getting more out of life than they had been in the habit of getting.

The games and dances described herein are suitable for almost any occasion or any social group of either youthful or mature persons in the city or in the country, in the home or in the school, in the social center or in the ballroom. The teacher, the parent or the social leader who is familiar with these games and dances will always have at hand the means of miaking the members of a group feel at home with each other, and keeping them occupied in entertaining and wholesome ways. Anyone who is responsible for the icare and culture of young children will find these games and dances an everpresent help in time of need. Mischief and misconduct are due mainly to lack of proper amusement

INTRODUCTION 5

and interesting occupation, and the teacher or parent who cannot suggest legitimate group activities for the leisure hours of the young, misses the chief opportunity to be of service in averting disorder of one kind or another and in developing resourcefulness and competency in social situations.

Particular mention should be made of the usefulness of these games and group dances by way of substitution for ballroom dancing. Complaint comes from every quarter that young people are too much in the ballroom. Boys and girls often get on poorly together outside the ballroom because they do not know anything interesting to do that will eliminate their stiffness and embarrassment. These social games and group dances will accomplish this purpose. They are much better suited to the nature and needs of youth than present-day ballroom dances, for they are full of action and humorous and dramatic situations, not overemphasizing the sex factor.

The games and dances are so clearly and concretely described and so fully illustrated that they can be easily understood by any teacher or parent or social leader or even by a group of players or dancers themselves. The authors have tested them with so many groups under such a variety of conditions that they have learned how to present them so that they can be followed without difficulty or confusion.

M. V. O'Shea.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

At the beginning of this book, I wish to express my indebtedness to Professor Clark W. Hetherington and to Mr. WilHam B. Owen, whose interest, encouragement and suggestions had much to do with the success of my Social Hour experiment in the Chicago Normal School and later in the University of Wisconsin, for this book is itself an outgrowth of the Social Hour.

The preparation of the book would have been well nigh impossible without the assistance of Professor C. H. Mills, Director of the School of Music of the University of Wisconsin, who arranged the music for many of the dances. Miss Mabel Dooley of the University of Wisconsin has been an invaluable helper in the preparation of the manuscript. Many of the practical problems in connection with the dances and the music were worked out in cooperation with Mrs. Mary Ayer Trumpf, and Mrs. W. F. Steve made the child pictures possible.

Blanche M. Trilling.

University of Wisconsin

December, 1918.

Part I Chapter Page

I. Social Mixers and Acquaintance Games 15

II. Active Games of Tag 48

III. Parlor and House-party Games 66

IV. Games with Pencil and Paper ii2

V. " Stunts " 122

Part II

Portland Fancy. French Reel. Circle Dance. Vineyard Dance. Pop Goes the Weasel. Ring Dance. How Do You Do? We Won't Go Home Till Morning. Virginia Reel. Country Dance. Cschbogar. Swedish Clap Dance. Bean Porridge. Barn Dance for Three. Dancing on the Green. Circle Bam Dance. ^

PART III Singing Games and Dances Especially Adapted

TO Children 215

Swinging in the Swing. Jolly is the Miller. Did you Ever See a Lassie. Dance of Greeting. Greeting and Meeting. The Circus. Carrousel. Captain Jinks. Our Little Girls. The First of May. Hickory Dickory Dock. Ribbon Dance.

Part I

By J. C. ELSOM, M.D.

Introduction To Part I

The social value of the game, the play and the folk-dance is unquestioned; and, with this truth in view, the authors of this volume have endeavored to furnish some suggestions which shall serve as a working basis for the practice of these healthful activities. It has 'been our purpose especially to emphasize those games and dances which have seemed to us to contribute best to the social education of young people, and which furnish for them the most healthful forms of physical activity. In many instances there have been described plays and dances which may be given to large numbers at once ; and the authors have kept constantly in mind the furthering of social acquaintanceship among large groups of young people who have come together perhaps not only unacquainted, but unfamiliar with methods of promoting acquaintanceship. These methods have been tested successfully over and over again in groups of students and in miscellaneous gatherings of young people, and are especially suited for social " mixers," house-parties, picnics, for social settlements and the like.

No attempt has been made to give a large collection of games essentially suited to the gymnasium ; or of group- or team-games, because there is abun-

14 INTRODUCTION TO PART I

dant literature already existing descriptive of these activities. Neither have the games and dances 'been selected with special reference to young children, although many of them are suitable in this connection. Many of the methods described in this volume have been productive of admirable results in groups composed of people of varying ages, many of the interested participants being persons of middle life. In fact, we have come to believe that for all people — ^young and old — ^social activities are desirable, and that wholesome recreations contribute in large measure to the joy of living. In our busy American life, we are apt to overlook or neglect these activities ; and, from such neglect, we are convinced that our people are distinctly losing much that would add to their welfare, physical, mental and social. We believe that to " live happily ever afterward," we need to have developed in our youth an essentially social instinct, and that the development of this instinct will be a distinct asset to us all, whatever our age or calling or station in life may be.

J. C. Elsom.

SOCIAL GAMES AND GROUP DANCES

PART I

Chapter I Social Mixers And Acquaintance Games

Social Values. — ^We are brought increasingly in these days to recognize the value of a cultivation of the social instinct. With few exceptions, this desire for intermingling with our fellows is strong in us all, and the social education is of utmost importance. If we are to be successful in any line of life's endeavors, we must constantly be thrown with our fellowmen, and must learn to be easy and natural in the presence of others. It is no mean accomplishment to be able to converse with ease, to convey our thoughts and feelings to others, and tactfully to meet our fellows in social intercourse. It is unfortunate that the veneer of artificiality so often exists in modern society and in our every-day dealings with our associates. We are not quite ourselves with our " company manners," and our dress clothes; we too often seem to desire to appear what we are not.

We are Ourselves in Play. — But in our play and In our games our most intimate characteristics and points of individuality s!how themselves. In plays which are natural, unrestricted and enjoyable we throw off all artificialities and abandon our pretense. A spirit of comradeship immediately takes possession of us in our games, and some of the most valuable social characteristics are developed. Groups of young people, thrown together for the first time, are apt to be stiff and unnatural, strained in their feelings and formal in their outward expressions. Bashf ulness and uneasiness are often felt and shown ; but when a game is proposed and played with enthusiasm all is changed. Natural and unrestrained conduct now takes the place of formality and artificiality, and everybody has a " good time." Selfforgetfulness has been developed.

Purpose of Chapter. — It is proposed in this chapter to deal specifically with certain activities which have to do with promoting acquaintanceship and breaking down formality in rather large gatherings of young people, who have come together for social purposes. Am.ong such occasions might be mentioned large house-parties, socials among highschool, college or university students; social gatherings of young people in church, lodge or social settlement, and in similar groups of whatever kind — in the home, the hall, or at the picnic.

Leadership. — The successful engineering of social " mixers " of this kind depends largely upon a committee who must consider and prepare a rather definite program, arud upon a leader who must specifically direct the activities of the group. Much depends upon the qualifications and tact of the leader. He should himself possess the social instincts and be of easy address, and temperamentally free from formality, A spirit of comradeship and friendship is essential. He should tactfully lead in the activities, and not drive them. An overbearing and tactless leader in fimotions of this kind is v^orse than none at all.

Dividing the Company into Groups. — Presupposing that the " mixer " is to be held in a large hall or church parlor, it is well that each person, as he enters, be requested to write his name upon a small slip of paper or card, and this card should be worn so as to be easily seen. If it is desired to form small preliminary groups, some of the following methods may be used :

Birth Months. — In addition to the name, each writes on the card his birth month. When all have arrived and so " tagged " themselves, the leader should announce that around the hall have been arranged twelve large signs, bearing the names of the months of the year, and under these signs the people must group themselves according to the months in which they were bom. It is announced that, without formal introduction, each is given the opportunity to become acquainted with the others. If one can explain why his particular month is more desirable than all the others, or why it is historically noted, so maidi the better. At least, a topic of conversation immediately pre'sents itself, and that counts for something. After a sufficient period of time is given for this form of social activity, the leader should direct the groups to exchange visits. For instance, December might be urged to visit May, Novem'ber to exchange greetings with June, and blustery March to greet the greater calmness of August. By such initerchange, the individuals in the group will have had opportunity for meeting each other.

Colors, etc. — A similar method is to tag each one as he enters with a bit of colored crepe paper. Around the room should be arranged large sheets of the various papers, under which the people group themselves. A similar interchange of visits between the different colors should be suggested.

States, Cities, Counties, etc — In the case of students who come from different states or counties, and w^ho have not had occasion to meet each other, cards bearing the names of the different states may mark the location of the gathering places. A more inclusive method is to inscribe the cards with sections of the country, as New England, The South, The Rocky Mountain District, The Pacific Coast, e^c. When m'any come from the same state, the division into counties is suggested, or even of streets or wards, in case many live in the same large city.

In all cases, however, there should be the opportunity to intermingle with other! groups.

Acquaintance Cards and Signatures. — In combination with these plans, or as a separate method, the " acquaintance card " is a very efficient means of mutual introduction. To each person is handed, as he enters the room, a card of rather generous size, and the direction is given that he shall secure the signature of each person with whom he converses for one minute or longer. This scheme immediately sets all to work, and accomplishes its purpose very admirably. To introduce a little element of variety, and perhaps O'f fun, the cards may be printed in this fashion :

NAME

COLOR OF HAIR

COLOR OF EYES

PROBABLE AGE

DISPOSITION

The signature is secured from the person with whom converse is held, but the description mentioned is jotted down by the person holding the card, who need not confine himself strictly to the truth. The description of the probable disposition of the new acquaintance must be made by the use of one adjective. The cards, with tiheir miscellaneous data, may be retained as souvenirs of a very pleasant occasion.

Prizes. — ^In connection with this method, prizes may be awarded to those who secure the largest number of names. This adds zest to the quest for wider acquaintanceship. The prizes need not be elaborate ; often it is better to present some trifling or ludicrous prize, which should be carefully wrapped, with the requirement that it be publicly opened at the proper time, and perhaps oratorically acknowledged by the winner. First and second prizes should be given to the men and' to the women w*ho secure the largest number of names, and a " booby " prize might be similarly awarded. The leader may quickly pick the winners by requesting those w'ho have a certain number of names (say twenty) to indicate that fact ; then thirty, or forty, and so on, until finally the winner is found.

The " Mysterious Couple." — It is often the very simplest exipedient that brings results. If there is given some topic of conversation, even if it be the weather, people immediately begin to talk and to become acquainted with each other. A common interest or a common topic of conversation is all that is needed to foster acquaintanceship ; and " one thing leads to another." The " Mysterious Couple " is one of these simple methods. The leader announces to the crowd that there is in the room a mysterious couple, who must be found by diligent inquiry. Any couple may be the " mysterious " ones — either a boy and girl, or two boys, or two girls. They are previously selected, and so informed; the trick is to find them. In order to do so, one musit question every couple whom he sees together. The formula may be, " Tell me, please, are you the mysterious couple? " As the mysterious couple may not always be standing together, the finding process is not so easy; but the search must be made, the questions must be asked, and "mixing" must be done. Finally, when the couple is discovered, they must quietly acknowledge it, take the name of the discoverer, which is afterward announced, and perhaps a prize is awarded to the lucky one. Second and third prizes might be awarded. The couple, after having been " discovered " for the first time, immediately separate, and afterward court a second discovery.

The "Millionaire Friends." — ^A similar "mixing" scheme has been tried with success by the author, which he has named the " Millionaire Friends." A couple, or couples, with the prize in their possession, are ready to deliver it to the first who discovers their identity and their generosity. The committee provides a twenty-five-cent piece as a prize. Any other amount or any prize might be used. The money prize is given to the couple who pose as the " millionaire friends," and of course these friends are eagerly sought, and discovered only after much questioning. The question to which they respond must be after the formula : "I am in need of money and friends. Will you two people lend me a quarter ? " If the millionaire friends happen to be together, they reply : " On signing your name, the money will soon be delivered to you." The name is taken^ and later on the prize is publicly awarded. In order that the search may not terminate too soon, the couple must separate at first, afterward coming together. They may only award the prize when they happen to be together. In large crowds it would be well to have three or four couples, each willing to " lend " the money, if properly asked to do so. If three couples are selected — a. boy and a girl, two boys, and two girls — ^the quest will be more interesting.

The " Mixing March." — One of the best methods of quickly and surely " mixing " young people is th« " Mixing March." It has always been, in the author's hands, productive of splendid results, and provokes much amusement. Two large circles are formed around the room, the boys making up the outside circle and the girls the inside. The leader stands in the center of the circles, and all face toward him. He commands, " Outside circle, face to the right ; inside circle face to the left ! " At the cornman, " Forward, March ! " the boys thus march around in one direction, and the girls in the opposite direction, preferably to the music of the piano. When the piano stops playing, the circles must face each other, and each must talk without stopping, to the person he faces, for thirty seconds. When the music begins again, or other signal is given, the march must continue as before, When the music may suddenly stop. Then the conversation merrily begins. The pauses in the music should be frequent ; and it will be seen that each boy and girl secures a different conversational partner each time. It may be required that they shake hands, mention their names and deal with as great a variety of topics as may be disposed of in thirty seconds ; and even the dullest and most bashful person becomes less dull and more at ease under the stimulus of the Mixing March.

Tableaux and Poses. — After a given time spent in the " March," pleasing and ludicrous variations may be introduced by the leader, who may direct a so-called gymnastic drill. The following are a few suggestions :

The inner circle (the girls) faces toward the center. The leader may command somewhat as follows : " Right foot forward, place ! Forward, bend ! Left hand extended backward ! Right hand over fordiead ! " After these movements are given several times, the girls are at rest. These commands are then given to the boys, in the outer circle : " On the right knee, kneel ! Arms upward, raise ! " When the command " Tableau Position! " is given, both lines assume the positions indicated in Fig. i,

•which rather ludicrously represents the rejection of a suitor. The total effect of the combined movements is striking and mirth-provoking.

A second tableau may be directed similarly as follows : The inner circle faces toward the men. The command is: "Left foot forward, knee bent! Forward bend! Right arm upward, raise!" To the men the command is given : " Left foot forward, place! On the right knee, kneel! Right hand backward (on the floor), place! Left arm, flexed, upward raise! " The positions are illustrated in Fig. 2, and represent an Amazon in the act of striking down a Mere Man, who feebly attempts to protect himself.

A third tableau is similarly ordered, the girls being required to face the boys, and to kneel on both knees. At a given command, the boys place both hands on the heads of the kneeling girls, and repeat in unison: " Bless you, my child, bless you! " (Fig. 3 ) . Similar tableaux may be given, as pointing and looking (Fig. 4), whispering and listening (Fig. 5), accusing (Fig. 6), expectancy (Fig. 7), contrition (Fig. 8).

The Alphabetical Mixer. — An admirable mixing device is this one, which presents a combination of good points. When each person arrives, he is given a rather generous-sized card, which he must wear prominently displayed; on the card is written or printed something like this :

FIG. I. — REJECTION

FIG. 2. — STRIKING

FIG. 3. — "bless you, my CHILD" FIG. 4. — POINTING AND LOOKING o

HELP ME

SPELL A WORD

I HAVE THE LETTER

A

My Name is.

For convenience and for small grouips perhaps only the large letter is necessary. The cards should bear different letters of the alphabet, with a generous 'proportion of the vowels, and as many sets of the letters of the alphabet provided as is warranted by the expected size of the company. It will be necessary to provide only a few of the less-used letters, such as X, Z, Q, etc.

The object of the mixer is to have members of the group select their word, find the persons wearing the necessary letters, and then keep together until the time comes for them tO' display their completed word. As the desirable letters are liable to be quickly appropriated by the various groups, there is need of some haste in finding the required ones, and attach/ing them to the special groups. When the words have been formed, each group displays its result by marching to the front of the room, or on a platform, where they stand in order. Then the word is spelled by having each member shout in order the name of his letter; then the whole group shouts the word in unison.

Certain rules may be made for the management of this mixer. For instance, no word which contains less than ten letters shall be allowed the group which displays a word may be required to rearrange themselves so as to spell a different word, using the same letters; or the word must begin and end with the same letter, and so on.

The program may 'be continued by requiring the groups to disband, and to seek other companions, who will assist tlhiem in spelling names of states, rivers or mountains; or by spelling words which pertain to agriculture, chemistry, engineering, astronomy, etc. ; and so the mixer may be varied in a number of entertaining ways.

The Concerted Sneeze. — A mirth-provoking experiment in any group of a half-dozen up to a hundred or more is the " concerted sneeze." The

FIG. 5. — WHISPERING AND LISTENING

FIG. 6. — ACCUSING

FIG. 7. — EXPECTANCY

FIG. 8. — SIR, YOU SEE A PENI- TENT BEFORE VOU"

leader divides the gnoup appiroximately intO' three settions, and directs that at his signal the first section shall sharply and quickly exclaim, "Hish!" The second group likewise makes' use of the word, " Hash," and the third, " Hosh." He explains that he will raise his hands, and command : " One, tiwo, three, sneeze! " When 'his hands go down, the syllables are to he pronounced loudly and staccato, with a result that is surprisingly like a sneeze oif generous and extensive proportions. It may be made even more realistic by having the first group exclaim, " Hishy," the second, " Hashy," and the third, " Hoshy."

A Church Mixer — ^An effective method of entertaining and mixing a group of young people, used by a church society, is herewith given :

A large room was arranged with chairs, placed in pairs, to represent seats on a railway train, with an aisle between the double seats. The young people were required to be seated in couples, the boys next to the aisles, and the girls next to the " windows." To give realism to the program, some were dressed as country travelers, with umbrellas, suitcases, parcels, etc. The " Conductor," in uniform, punched the tickets and tore off the lower slip', marked " Excursion Transportation." A newsboy with his papers and wares was at intervals much in evidence ; and the brakeman announced the " stations " with frequency. At every station the men

A TRIP ACROSS THE CONTINENT

EXCURSION TICKET

THE WISCONSIN

Ticket must not be exchanged or transferred. DON'T CROWD SAFETY FIRST

Baptist C £. Railroad Co.

il!

The Wisconsin ADMIT ONE

Good for

ONE LUNCH

Railway Eating House

Good for

a personally conducted WALKING TRIP IN THE ROCKIES

Not good if detached.

Good tat

TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE

Not good if detached.

STOP-OVER SIDE TRIP FOUR LAKES OF MADISON

Not gold if detached.

TOUR OF PITTSBURG

TUNNEL NO. 3.

Not toad ifdetaclud

ONE TRIP HORSESHOE FALLS.

Not good i/detacktd.

Baptist C.E. Railway

Not Good IfDttached : NumerouB Guidej Accompaay Thi« Ejicunioo. If Yob 1 were required to move forward one seat in the train ; thus there was a frequent change of traveUng companions and opportunity was offered for acquaintanceship and conversation. Afiter a journey of thirty or forty minutes, Niagara was announced, when aill passengers had to leave the train to see the wonderful " Horse Shoe Falls." In the gallery of the audience room oi the church a guide called attention to the scenery, dropping a horse shoe to the floor 'below!

The " Tour of Pittsburgh " was down in the dark furnace-room of the church, with a glimpse into the glowing coals. In another room was arranged a stereopticon, and a lecturer exhibited a series of lantern slides representing local scenery and' college happenings.

A " Trip to the Yellowstone " was quickly completed, although in devious fashion, to see a large stone in the basement painted 3^ellow; and the " Walking Trip in the Rockies " was likewise in the lower part of the building; many obstacles had to be crossed, narrow precipices passed, and a sudden climb to be made — ^altogether a cleverly arranged obstacle race. The lunch served was typical of railway eating-houses; and the conclusion O'f the program consisted of a musical and histrionic performance on an improvised stage in another part of the building.

Entertainments in great number of a similar character might be arranged. The whole object of such programs should be to afford plenty of innocent fun and amusement, and to provide abundant opportunities for acquaintanceship, easily and naturally brought about.

A Musical Mixer. — ^A pleasing variation of the mixing scheme is to give to each of the young people as they arrive a slip of paper bearing the name of some familiar song. Among these songs may be mentioned " Suwanee River," " Old Black Joe," " Annie Laurie," " America," " Drink to Me only with Thine Eyes," " Marching Through Georgia," " Home, Sweet Home," " John Brown's Body," " Dixie," etc., etc. As early as possible, each one must mix with the crowd and find his co-partners in song, who shall group themselves in a particular part of the room, and when called upon by the leader they must present their musical selection. In this way each group exhibits its musical abilities, iand prizes may be awarded to those who render their selection in the best form. Finally, the leader may direct certain groups to sing at once, and then all the groups to sing their separate songs at the same time ; and the resulting " confusion of tongues " may be imagined. Two' groups, however, one singing " Solomon Levi " and the other " The Spanish Cavalier," may do so in musical concord. As a part of this scheme, in addition to the song specified, a musical instrument may be designated ; and when the singing is called for, the song must be given with imitations of the special musical instrument which has been assigned.

Matching Poetry, Advertisements, Proverbs, etc. — An excuse for " mixing " is readily given by certain matching schemes, which demand, of course, some preparation on the part of the committee or the hostess. One of the easiest of these is to cut advertisements out of newspapers and magazines. These are cut or torn into two parts. One half of each advertisement is given to a boy, the other half to a girl. A sufficient number must be prepared to accommodate all those who are expected to be present. Each member must seek to find the person who has the other half of his advertisement. To the first one who has found his partner may be given a prize or other form of recognition ; or they may be partners for seats at refreshment tables, or otherwise, according to the program of the evening.