If your studio or classroom looks anything like mine you probably have loads of wiggly kids who need to move! For so many kids, especially those with exceptionalities, moving to music can help them to stay focused and engaged. Movement can facilitate them staying “in the zone,” where they’re getting enough stimulation to be able to learn. Otherwise, they may either disengage or seek out other stimulation, sometimes in ways that may be disruptive to their learning or that of others in the class.
There are plenty of movement songs out there…”Head and Shoulders,” “Hokey Pokey,” etc. There are also common activities like freeze dance (I highly recommend the version by the Kiboomers! It’s super fun and has an instrumental version that allows you to make up your own movements). Here are some other fun ways to incorporate movement into your lesson plan:
- Did anyone else use a parachute in gym class? It was the best class of the year! It’s a fantastic tool to incorporate, and I think you’ll find that it will be very popular! I recommend this one from fdmt.ca because it has handles, making it easier for our students who may need adaptations with gross motor skills to manage. It’s also small enough to use with a small group or even in a private lesson. Not only is a parachute a fun way to incorporate movement, it encourages students to work together to make the parachute move in the right direction at the right time. I use the parachute to facilitate music appreciation by moving it along with a piece of music. It allows students to feel the piece–the beat, the meter, musical elements like accents, ritardando, dynamics, etc. I also use flash cards that the students need to respond to by moving the parachute. This can be dynamics (either using the signs like p for piano and f for forte, or using images like a bunny for quiet and a lion for loud), rhythms…use your imagination!
- Graphic scores are a great way for students to understand a piece without needing to know traditional score reading. We can use images to support an understanding of the piece. Check out this video for an example. To incorporate movement, get up and have the students find movements that mimic the images they’ve just seen in the graphic score. Jump for accents, turn around or wave arms to match patterns in the music, etc. You can include scarves here–always a favourite!
- Body percussion is a fantastic way for students to embody rhythm. By using different movements for different rhythms or patterns, students come to understand the music through experiencing it. It also works on their gross motor skills and coordination. It can be simple or challenging, which makes it appropriate for all skill levels. It’s also an activity that can be used with all age groups. There are tons of resources and videos out there that your students can use to follow along–I love this YouTube series from Mrs. B’s Music and this one from Sunrise Kids Music Lessons. Or if you like, you can create your own activity using body percussion cards like these. Incorporate wrist or ankle bells if you like!
Created with
