Kicking Up History: The Story of the Charleston
Imagine walking into a bustling ballroom in the 1920s. The air is filled with the upbeat sounds of a jazz band, and the floor is packed with people moving in a way that looks like high-speed organized chaos. This was the era of the Roaring Twenties, a time of big changes in fashion, music, and how people spent their free time. At the center of this excitement was a dance craze that swept across the United States and the world: the Charleston.
While the Charleston became a national sensation in the 1920s, its roots go back much further. The dance is named after the city of Charleston, South Carolina. It was inspired by the movements of African American dancers who lived on the islands off the coast. These dancers used a style called the 'Juba,' which involved rhythmic hand clapping and foot tapping. Musicians from the Jenkins Orphanage Band, a famous group of young African American performers, often traveled to perform this style of music and dance, helping it spread to other cities.
- Syncopated:
- A rhythm that places stress or accents on beats that are usually weak.
- Mainstream:
- Considered normal or popular by most people in a society.
- Flappers:
- Young women in the 1920s known for their energetic freedom and stylish, short hair and dresses.
- Scandalous:
- Causing shock or disapproval because it goes against traditional rules or behavior.
- Era:
- A specific period of history marked by particular events or characteristics.
- sensation:
- A person, thing, or event that causes widespread excitement and intense public interest.
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Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
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Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1From which city does the Charleston dance get its name?
- 2Which traditional African American style of movement influenced the Charleston?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
âKicking Up History: The Story of the Charlestonâ is a informational reading passage about The Charleston Dance, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (619 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.