Class 2 — Stars, Grands and Wheels
Units covered: M5, M6, M7, M8. Units assumed: M1–M4 — the ring, Dosado, the promenade and
the allemande.
The units in this class
| Unit | Call | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| M5 | Star Right/Left | turns four dancers round a centre by one hand |
| M6 | Right and Left Grand | weaves the whole square past each other by alternate hands |
| M7 | Pass Thru | walks two facing dancers past each other |
| M8 | Wheel Around | turns a couple about, side by side |
Before you start
- They can square up, circle and promenade without being told the direction.
- They can find their corner without counting round the square.
- They hold hands lightly, and let go when a call says to.
Teaching sequence
- M5 — Star Right/Left. Show the star handhold at the centre, hands stacked, not a heap, and have them walk it without turning their shoulders. Pre-empt the dancer who drifts outwards.
- M6 — Right and Left Grand. Walk the first half slowly and stop when everyone faces their partner. Pre-empt the two mistakes that always appear: following the person you just left, and reaching with the wrong hand.
- M7 — Pass Thru. The simplest call of the evening, so use it as a rest: two steps, past, stop. Pre-empt the pair who stop level and edge sideways.
- M8 — Wheel Around. Teach it from a promenade, so the couple have a direction to keep, and show the outside dancer backing round. Pre-empt the couple who turn two different ways.
Drills
- Circle Left 1/4 Allemande Left Right and Left Grand Promenade Home
Trains the allemande-to-grand join that closes almost every tip.
- Heads Pass Thru Heads Wheel Around Heads Pass Thru Heads Wheel Around
Trains Pass Thru and Wheel Around together, returning the Heads home.
- Star Right (Full) Star Left (Full) Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains the star handhold and the change from right hand to left.
Checks
- The star collapses — hands are pulled down; raise them to eye level.
- Dancers follow the last hand they touched in the Grand — stop and face the next hand.
- Pass Thru ends on each other's toes — two full steps, not one long lean.
- Wheel Around becomes a wrestle — say which dancer walks backwards.