I am a 1st grade teacher in Brooklyn, NY. I am interested in teaching my kids ballroom dancing- like the foxtrot and the waltz. I am looking for a video that I can use with my class to teach them with as well as myslef. We are all beginners and are looking forward to performing for the parents at the end pf the school year. Does anyone have any suggestions for a video that I may be able to purchase to do this? Thanks for your help!

Carmina. You need to state which style of dancing you are interested in. Pity you don't live here. We have a package free to schools, which is exactly what you need. This also includes some professional help to assist teachers like yourself. This is a Dancesport project.

Carina. I should have put that our main interest is the International Style. In the US there is an American Smooth Style which might also suit. Good luck.

I guess the American smooth. I really don't know anything about dance at all. There is a program in NYC that works with public schools too but they work with 4th grade and up and I have a 1st grade class. Do you know of any videos that may help us?

If you've never done any dancing, you might find it hard to learn and teach it from a video.

I'd suggest you contact ballroom dance studios near you. I think you might be able to find a volunteer to help you--maybe a trainee instructor or an amateur who's been dancing a while. Even if the studios couldn't help directly, I bet they'd be happy to let you post a flyer asking for a volunteer.

If you have the time and a little money, you might want to take a few lessons (most studios have cheap introductory packages) or a group class yourself so you can "stay ahead" of your class.

I'd recommend that you pick one or at most two dances to work on. East coast swing would be fun for the kids, and they could do it with a two-hand hold, which might be easier at their age than closed dance position. If you want to do a more "traditional" dance, waltz would probably be good, as it has a steady beat and just requires counting up to 3!

I think it's great you want to introduce your kids to ballroom! And you might even get hooked on dancing yourself!