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Home > Resource Center > Articles > Musical Solutions Help Skyrocket Student Energy Levels.
Musical Solutions Help Skyrocket Student Energy Levels.
Musical Solutions Help Skyrocket Student Energy Levels.
Ideas by Heather Burke, 4th Grade Teacher, Austin, TX, and Erica, 5th Grade Teacher, San Jose, California:
Here are ideas from two teachers who rely on music to pump up the volume on students’ enthusiasm.
Heather suggests offering students spontaneous "dance breaks." To do this, she visited a stationery store to purchase a few music "buttons" (available from greeting card companies) that play 30-second clips of upbeat pop tunes. Whenever her kids need a break, she presses one of the buttons. Her kids know that’s the signal for them to get up, dance and sing to the music. Her students especially enjoy the button that plays the "ABC/123" Michael Jackson tune!
Meanwhile, Erica relies on a long list of break-time activities she’s compiled. "These games and activities are all kid-tested," she says, "so I know your class will benefit. Besides, kids love anticipating which game they will get to play each day."
Here are two favorites:
- Hand Jive: kids love trying to do this 16- count hand movement combination as quickly as possible. I also play a game called
- Freeze to the Music: Play favorite songs, then cut the sound at random points. When the music stops, students have to "freeze" and hold still in their positions. If they move, they're out, and they help me judge the rest of the dancers.
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