9 Ways to Add more Movement to Your Music Classroom
This month is Move More Month, and what better opportunity to add more movement into your music classroom. Movement is like magic for your elementary students, because it’s so very good for them. If you exercise/move regularly, then you know that you feel better all around when you’re moving your body. Movement is even more important for your kiddos at the end of the year. It’s truly the best way to help your students shake out their sillies.
Did you know that less than 25% of kids do some form of daily physical activity? This was not the case years ago. Parents of past generations (mine included) would chase their kids out of the house most days to run and play together. Over the past few decades, stress among children has increased by 40%. Extra stress can lead to slow brain development and can even slow down physical growth. Scary right?
Lack of exercise can also be attributed to kids’ poor mental health. Being active helps your body release endorphins and dopamine, those feel good chemicals that help relieve stress and put a smile on your face. Not exercising enough can also lead to poor sleep patterns, which causes attention problems and sometimes even memory loss. Getting enough exercise helps the brain function better and improves your ability to think.
Wow! Sounds like exercise can help with all of the challenges we face as music teachers. That’s why it’s important to add more movement to your students’ day. Today I’m going to tell you about 9 ways you can do just that.
- Incorporate dance: Teach your students simple choreography that they can perform along with the music. This is a great way to get them moving and can be a fun way to reinforce musical concepts.
- Use rhythm sticks: Rhythm sticks can be a great tool for getting students moving. They can be used to tap out rhythms, and students can move their bodies in time with the beats.
- Play musical games: There are a number of musical games that require movement. For example, “Musical Chairs” and “Freeze Dance” are two classics that can be easily adapted to fit your classroom.
- Use scarves: Scarves are a versatile prop that can be used in a variety of ways to encourage movement. Students can wave them around, twirl them, or use them to create different shapes.
- Use movement-based activities to teach musical concepts: For example, students can use their bodies to represent different musical elements, such as dynamics or tempo.
- Have a drum circle: Drums are a great way to get students moving and engaged. They can be used to explore different rhythms and musical styles, and students can move their bodies to the beat.
- Incorporate yoga: Yoga is a great way to encourage movement and mindfulness. You can incorporate yoga poses into your music lessons to help students develop balance and focus.
- Create a musical obstacle course: Set up different stations around the room that students can move through. Each station can involve a different musical activity, such as clapping rhythms or singing a song.
- Use movement to tell a story: Choose a song or piece of music and create a story that goes along with it. Students can act out the story and move their bodies to the music.
BONUS: Use storybooks that have movement words, like “skip, flop, or jump”. Have your students help you find the movement words, write them on your board, and put on some music that’s appropriate for the story. Read each word, and instruct your students to move like that word. Pro tip: You may have to model the movement for your littles first.
Adding movement into your music classroom can have so many benefits for your students’ physical and mental health. From dance and rhythm sticks to musical games and scarves, there are many creative ways to encourage movement and reinforce musical concepts. Using movement-based activities, drum circles, yoga, and musical obstacle courses can also help your students develop focus, balance, and mindfulness. So, take advantage of these creative ideas to add more movement to your music classroom and help your students become healthier, happier, and more engaged learners.
Looking for some great done-for-you movement lesson plans? I’ve got a bunch on sale this month for 50% off. Be sure to visit my website shop and look for the bundles that are on sale!
Want more tips and trainings to help you find happy in your music classroom? Join The Happy Music Teacher Academy!