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.
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This is such a cute idea. I know the kiddos I have coming into my class next year love music. I will have to try this out on them!
ReplyDeleteHunter's Tales from Teaching
Have you tried Flocabulary? They have some AWESOME educational videos and songs. My students *LOVE* them!
ReplyDelete:) Erin
I'm Lovin Lit
I love the idea of having the kids dance! Do they follow along with the dance for the Just Dance video? That would be hilarious! Sounds like you guys have a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Eclectic Educating
LOVE IT!!!! I am so using these next week! Even my big kids would enjoy this! Awesome suggestion. :)
ReplyDeleteBrandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners
I have got to get BNL's CD. It's obviously amazing. :-P
ReplyDeleteJivey
ideas by jivey
Follow Me On Facebook! :)
GENIUS! PURE GENIUS! I have Just Dance Wii game, didn't even know it was on Youtube-totally doing this on Monday!!! My kids will LOVE this! We have one minute dance parties all the time, but this is awesome! And I agree, everyone would be happier if they danced! Have you ever seen a mad person dance??!!
ReplyDeleteJoanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching
Thank you for your kind words! You brightened my day when you said I motivate you to be a better teacher! You're such a great BBB!
DeleteWhat a great idea! We also have this on Wii but I never thought to look for it on YouTube! I love it!! But maybe that's my love for dance!! ;O)
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Collaboration Cuties
Wondering how your school deals with curse language... I love this song in Just Dance, but do you lower the volume for the F word, even tho the kids know it is coming... sigh.. hate when there are great moving songs with these language issues!!! Great ideas though!~!~
ReplyDeleteSusan
LopezLandLearners
Forgot to mention, I saw Marcia Tate from Worksheets Don't Build Dendrites and she says that music should be used 30% of the day.. something I am working on this year!
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