Coordinated Movement Activity Experience Design

Understanding Statement

Through this experience learners will be able to recognize musical patterns through associated

movements. Learners will practice moving their bodies at specific and regular times in the music

(big beats) and will discover how to use their bodies to interact with and relate to music.

“I can” Statements

- I can steadily move my body to the big beats of the music.

- I can recognize repeated patterns in the music.

Materials

“Rather Be” by Pentatonix (Clean Bandit cover) from the album PTX (2014). This song was

chosen for its energetic yet not overwhelming tempo and familiarity.

“Happy” by Pharrel Williams from the album Happy (2013). This song was chosen for its

familiarity, form, and upbeat groove.

Procedure

“Rather Be” (Standing)

Start-clap with video ~38 counts

32 counts step side to side(double coordinated)

32 counts step forward/back(double coordinated)

 32 counts march (double coordinated)

16 counts double pat legs/shoulders (double coordinated)

8 counts right hand leg/shoulders(single coordinated)

8 counts left hand leg/shoulders (single coordinated)

32 counts legs/shoulders/up/shoulders (double coordinated)

wait 8 counts

16 counts step clap (complex)

8 counts single pat legs/shoulders

8 counts alternate

32 counts march

32 counts squat/jump

32 counts legs/shoulders/up/shoulders

32 counts FREESTYLE

32 counts jump/clap

32 counts legs/shoulders/up/shoulders

8 counts sit(?)

Discussion (sitting)

What did you think of that?

Did you notice anything in particular?

Did anything happen more than once?

Can you show me that part?

How many times did it come back?

 Did it always come back at the same part in the song?

“Happy”

Play by verse/chorus (multiple times each)

Verse 1 0:07

Chorus 0:29 (use the same move every time)

Verse 2 0:54

Chorus 1:17

Bridge 1:43 (how can we make this different?)

Chorus x2 2:05

Bridge 2:54

Chorus x2 3:06

Students collaborate to create moves for each verse/chorus

Class performs together

Assessment

I will watch as learners follow the movements I model to make sure they are on the beat,

correctly replicating the movement, etc. I will also ask the learners if they noticed any

patterns in the movement sequence and can repeat certain sections if necessary. During the

second song, I will watch to see how/if the students are able to create patterned movements to the

sections of the song.

Extension

To extend this activity, I would choose a song that has some sort of change-tempo, style, etc. to

challenge the students in their ability to adapt. I would also do more with the movements to

include both macro and micro beats, challenging the students to switch between the two.