Spark Student Motivation - Music and Movement

I am linking up with Joanne from Head Over Heels for Teaching for her weekly linky - Spark Student Motivation. The lady knows a thing or two about motivation - reading her blog motivates me to be a better teacher!!

I am sure many of you already use music and movement in your class. We have to do "DPA" or "VDPA" in our school board - daily physical activity or vigorous daily physical activity.  I like to incorporate it by dancing or moving in the classroom. It is a great activity to use in between subjects, after a long period of quiet work or when the class has too much energy. I find that playing music and having the kids move is a great motivator. They have loads of fun and the seem to be able to work better afterwards.

Here are 2 of our favorites.

Just Dance 3 on Youtube. This song has been a big favorite. We put it on and everyone dances!!




The second is Popcorn  from The Barenaked Ladies CD Snacktime (yes I already mentioned this CD this week - but it is really good and I'm not sure everyone believed me the first time).

We sing along with the beginning part of the song and then during the pop, pop, pop part I call out the body part they should be moving. We start with just figers or just toes and move to big whole body movement by the final POPCORN!




That's it - like Kid Presidents says "The world would be more awesome if everyone danced." I think dance and music are great ways to motivate students.