Submitted by Caryn Mears, Kennewick, Washington

Idea posted May 26, 2011

Each day, students try to get 10 points, which I work really hard at helping them attain. When they earn 10 stars, we have a day where we play dance games. I play the same ones every time, which is about every six weeks. They absolutely love having this day, and it is such a bonus day for me.

At the kindergarten level, I use "The Freeze," by Greg and Steve. They love dancing wherever they want, and then they have to freeze when the music stops. I tell them if I catch them moving, they have to sit out until the second round. We play this game about two times. Then we do the "The Kung Fu Kick," by John Jacobson. Then we go back to doing "The Freeze" game again. 

Music K-8 has the song "Freeze!" (from Music K-8, Vol. 14, No. 2), as well. They love choosing an instrument and marching to "A Beat In My Feet".

In first and second grades, I do "The Freeze" as well as "The Kung Fu Kick," but I also add "The Chicken Dance," and they learn how to swing around with a partner. They also love "Elephants Have Wrinkles" and "Sam The Robot Man," by Denise Gagne. Of course, I lay the ground rules. They can't go behind the curtains, they can't dance onto the steps, they can't touch the instruments, and they can't do gymnastics. We talk about all of these examples in a positive manner rather than "don'ts." 

In third grade, I do "The Freeze," "The Kung Fu Kick," "The Chicken Dance," and then add the "Conga In The Kitchen," by John Jacobson. I always do "The Freeze" several times at the beginning and the end. They love it!

In fourth and fifth grades, I take out the "The Kung Fu Kick" and "Elephants Have Wrinkles," but still do "The Freeze," "The Chicken Dance," and "Conga In The Kitchen." I add the "Limbo Rock." They love this as well. There are tons more dances out there, but these have been huge hits!

It's all about what you make of it. You decide which songs are going to be saved for that special day, and they will love it. It can be the same songs every single time. They love repetition!