This lesson is for developing shape recognition. The skills practiced are the large motor skills marching and galloping used rhythmically; following oral instructions; working cooperatively in a group. For more skills practiced, see list in the introduction.

Skill level: Age 9+

ABCD Sequence

--This dance has 4 sets of 16 counts.

--Pattern changes every 16 counts; one count per march; one count per gallop.

--Students who are taking a turn on the sideline as accompanists clap hands or a rhythm instrument once for each march or gallop.

--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 marching arms swing in opposition to raised knee - that is when right knee is raised, left arm swings forward.

--During galloping the opposite arm and leg remain forward - that is when right foot is leading the left arm is forward and the right arm is slightly back; behind.

Preparation: The front of room is determined. Facing front of room; called facing forward, students stretch arms to side, hands joined, to form a straight line. Then drop hands and remember this spot as their "place" for this dance.

1st set of 16 counts: Part A
1. Students do 4 marches forward; then 4 marches backward (while facing forward) to "place" with arms swinging in opposition - that is as right knee lifts up, left arm swings forward.
2. Repeat the sequence of number 1.
2nd set of 16 counts: Part B
3. Students take 4 gallops forward with right foot in front.
4. Students turn toward their own right shoulder to face the back of room and with right foot still in front take 4 gallops back to "place."
5. Turning to face forward and changing to left foot in front, students take 4 gallops forward to front of room.
6. Students turn toward their own left shoulder, keeping left foot in front and take 4 gallops back to "place."
3rd set of 16 counts: Part C
7. Back to marching: students take hands in the straight line facing forward and the two students on the ends of the line with 16 marching steps bend the line by moving toward the front and center of the room into an open circle shape. All are now facing the center of the circle with hands still joined.
4th set of 16 counts: Part D
8. Back to galloping: students drop hands, turn toward their right shoulder 1/4 turn to face the back of the student next to them.
9. Then gallop 8 times in the circle shape, counter-clockwise direction.
10. For the final 8 gallops, a designated leader set ahead of time lets go of his right hand with his neighbor's left hand and leads the students in a line out of the room or to a corner.

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