The skills practiced are ABCD sequencing, memorization, following oral instructions, working cooperatively as a group while moving using large motor skills in rhythmic sliding and skipping. For more skills practiced, see list in the introduction.
Skill level: Age 9+
How to skip
Series of step-hops changing lead foot after hop. One knee is raised, thigh parallel to floor. Arms swing from shoulders, one forward, one back, in opposition to knee that is raised in front.
Clap: tum ta, tum ta, tum ta, tum ta
How to slide
Many variations of basic step of keeping knees slightly bent while feet slide along the floor. One foot leads, the other slides to meet it, and then the opposite foot leads. Moving side to side or forward or backward.
Arm position varies: Hands on waist; arms outstretched to sides; arms in opposition for big slides.
Clap: tum, tum, tum, tum
--Students who are taking a turn on the sideline as accompanists clap hands or a rhythm instrument once for each skip or slide.
--At the end of each set of 16 counts there is a slight pause in clapping to allow students to change direction or step.
--During skipping when not holding hands, arms swing in opposition - that means when right leg is forward, left arm is forward.
Preparation: Students stand together in center of room; take hands and walk backward till arms are stretched forming a circle.
1st set of 16 counts: Part A
1. Holding hands, take 4 skips in to center of circle; arms remain low.
2. Still holding hands take 4 skips backward to beginning place.
3. Repeat 1. and 2.
2nd set of 16 counts: Part B
4. Everyone quickly drop hands and make a quarter turn clockwise, to right, so now student is facing the back of the student who was alongside.
5. Take 8 skips moving in a forward counter-clockwise direction keeping the circle shape; arms swing in opposition.
6. Turn to face opposite direction and take 8 skips in a forward clockwise direction keeping open circle shape; arms swing in opposition.
3rd set of 16 counts: Part C
7. Turn to face center of circle again; back at starting position.
8. Take hands with student on either side.
9. Holding hands, all slide to right for 8 slides in a counter-clockwise direction, keeping open circle shape; pause.
10. Still holding hands, change direction of circle by sliding 8 times toward left in clockwise direction, keeping circle shape open; pause.
4th set of 16 counts: Part D
11. Still holding hands take 4 skips in to center of circle, arms starting down at side, then arms moving forward and up to overhead by the end of the 4th skip.
12. Still holding hands take 4 skips backward to again form the open circle shape; arms coming down to sides again by the 4th skip.
13. To end dance, a student designated ahead of time breaks right hand with adjoining student's left hand while remaining students hold hands and lead the students in a line out of the room or to one corner with 8 skips.
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - Introduction
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - ABCD Sequencing
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - Geometric Shapes
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - ABA Sequencing Waltz Combination
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - ABA Sequencing Schottische Combination
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - Indirect and Direct Objects
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - Multiplication
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - Division
Advanced Kinesthetic Lessons - Division with Remainder
The content of this article is included in
Kinesthetic Math and Language Lessons -
YouŽll find 33 beginning and advanced kinesthetic math and language lessons in 78 pages for kids of all abilities in grades K-6, including teaching all ages the one-hand alphabet with large photos of the letter shapes.
And, for ages 2 to 5, more than 10 kinesthetic learning lessons, plus rhythms, dances and exercises in Rhythms and Dances for Toddlers and Preschoolers
