Friday 17 August 2012

DIY Jitter Sticks

I call these my "jitter sticks"! I use them when I notice students getting jittery or when we need a little pick me up! These would be great for classroom teachers to use too!


Simply type up various fun movements and tape each one around a popsicle stick.


Put your sticks upside down in a small container. I used a mini Pringles container and covered it with wrapping paper. A can would work too. When you see a busy body getting the jitters, have them choose a jitter stick for the class to do! 

I want to make more! Please share any movement ideas for the jitter sticks!

- Steph

Sunday 12 August 2012

I Like to Move It, Move It!

Does everyone remember that song from the 90's? Man... I love the 90's. Dance mix '95 was a classic! Anyways, this blog is not about 90's music. It's about adding a neat DIY movement prop!

I made a movement ball yesterday and I am really excited to use it! I got the idea from a Party Planning blog called The Party Animal.

Their rendition of it is a homemade "Toss 'n Talk" ball. Apparently these are pretty popular, but I had never seen them before! This "Toss 'n Talk" ball could also be used in the Music room especially if you are new to the school and want to get to know the students better. This would also be fun to make for a class review of music genres, or composers!
After coming across the Toss' N' Talk ball, I actually found a movement version of it on Amazon.



And that's where the DIYing began! 
All you need is:
A big ball
Permanent markers
Ideas!
Friends with ideas!
Write and doodle moves on a bouncy ball, fill it up and your done!



To use the movement ball, students simply toss, catch, and do the move that is beneath their right thumb! At the beginning of the year, I will also have my students choose a partner to do their move with them. That way, they'll have more confidence and fun! I also had a suggestion for another idea from a friend to have students roll the ball to the next person instead of throwing it.

I am so excited to use this! I hope you are too! I would love to see your creations!

- Steph