Submitted by Tami Mangusso, Aurora, Colorado
Idea posted November 9, 2004
Here are some choreography moves for "Put On Your Thinking Cap" from Music K-8, Vol. 14, No. 2. Students will need room to move side to side. I always have them stretch their arms out to find their space.
For the intro music (four measures), we do the move I call "The Scoop." To do a scoop, you turn to your left and step forward, with the left foot, bring the right foot forward just touching near the ankle of your left foot (step-touch movement). Bend your arms in front of you with palms of your hands facing up, and make a fist with each hand. As you take your first step, push your hands forward. Bring your fist back as you step with your right foot. You basically move your arms forward and backwards as if you were scooping something up. We do two step-touch scoops to the left, then we clap and do two step-touch scoops to the right. After this we stand in place facing forward and get ready to sing the words with movements.
Put on your thinking cap = Pretend to hold onto the brim of a hat with both hands, and put it on your head.Put your brain in motion = Put your hands on the side of your head and make circles around the side of your head.
Throw out your limits and = Take both hands and do a throwing motions (as if you had a ball in each hand and were going to throw them).
Focus on = With palms facing your face (fingers spread apart), cover your eyes and pull hands out to the side.
Devotion = Make praying hands near your chest.
Put your energy = Do two hitchhikes with the left thumb.
And attention = Do two hitchhikes with the right thumb.
Into matters of = Keep hands in a hitchhike form (fingers closed and thumbs up) in front of your chest area. Alternating hands, go up and down (rhythm pattern is ti-ti ti-ti).
Invention = Make a X with your arms and fingers together, pointing downward. Using the rhythm pattern ti-ti ti-ti, move your hands and arms up and down. This is a similar move to what rappers do.
Put out the effort = Put on your hat again.
Think of something new = Place your hands in front of your face slightly overlapped, palms facing out, in the shape of an "O" and flick your fingers open (also known as a burst), as you arch your arms in a half circle out towards your sides.
Innovation = Start with your right hand at your side at waist level, and arch it up above your head (half circle motion). Leave your hand above your head.
Invention = Bring your left hand up in the same way, making a half circle up above your head.
Creation. Exploration = Do a burst (close fingers and flick them open), and arch both hands back down to your waist.
Repeat the motions again (words are repeated), but both hands go up at the same time and down at the same time.
Wake up your sleepy brain = Place hands at shoulder level, with palms up, and pulse hands and arms up and down (known as raising the roof).
Time to find a new gear = Turn and face your right, and with the left hand bend your arm at the waist and make a fist with your hand. Move your arm and fist in a circular motion (like a doing a train motion).
Throw out those habits = Pretend to throw a ball out in front of you with both hands.
That bog you down in your fear = Plug your nose with one hand and extend your other arm and hand above your head. Pretend to go down under the water.
Put your attitude = Do two hitchhikes with the left thumb.
On intention = Do two hitchhikes with the right thumb.
Let it lead you to = Hitchhike with both hands, but in front of your chest area. Move hands up and down to the music.
Invention = Make a X with both arms, fingers together and pointing downward. Alternate arms up and down (like rappers do).
Put on your thinking cap = Pretend to put hat on.
Think of something new = Place hands in front of face with palm facing outward and shape hands in an "O" and flick fingers open (burst) as you arch your hands out towards the side (half circles).
The next six measures are instrumental music, and we did the scoop movement: two to the left, clap, and switch to do two scoops to the right.
Spoken part:
Everything we know = Point to your mind with both hands.
Had to come from somewhere = Start with palms facing up slightly overlapped, near your chest area. Break hands apart and move left hand towards your left side and the right hand towards your right side (in a panning motion).
Someone had to think it up = With both hands, palms facing up, move hands up above your head.
Somewhere along the way = Break hands apart and arch them down the sides to your waist.
Someone had to stretch = Extend hands and arms to your sides, level with your shoulders.
Had to reach = Place hands above your head as if you were reaching for something high.
Had to push = With hands facing out, fingers up, stretch arms in front of you like you were pushing something away from you.
The limits and the boundaries of the world in their day = Move your left hand out towards your left side, and move your right hand out to your right side. Keep your palms facing outward.
Just because something isn't here now = Place hands to your side with palms up and elbows bent (as if you're saying, "I don't know"). On the word "now," arch your hands inward so that your fingers point downward.
Doesn't mean it can't be = Raise your left hand back into the "I don't know" pose.
Won't be = Raise your right hand back into the "I don't know" pose.
Couldn't be = shake your head as if you're saying "no."
Think it up = With closed fist raise your left hand above your head (keep it there).
Dream it up = With closed fist raise your right hand above your head (keep it there).
Make it up = Bring both hands down in front of you with your elbows bent (at waist level) and palms up extended in front of you (hands are still in a fist).
Bring it on = Wiggle fingers as if you're saying "come here" or "bring it on."
Fill your own page of human history = Make no movement but start to turn to your left to do the scooping movement.
Repeat all the moves from the beginning (D.S. al Coda).
On the final words "Think of something new," raise your hands in the air.
© Plank Road Publishing, Inc. - Used by permission.