Chorus-Switch Warm-Up Stations
Each group designs a warm-up station; while the music plays, everyone jogs around the outside of the circuit during the verses, and when the chorus hits, each group runs to a station and does it. Students get a general warm-up while listening closely to the music.
How to play
- Make five groups of five. Each group writes one warm-up exercise of their choice (mobility, light strength, or coordination) on a card and places it by a cone; the five cones form a circle about 20 yards across.
- Explain the cue: during the verses, everyone jogs around the outside of the circle, switching the movement (forward, side shuffle, backpedal) whenever the teacher raises a hand.
- When the chorus starts, each group moves to the next station clockwise, reads the card, and does the exercise for as long as the chorus lasts.
- When the chorus ends, everyone goes back to jogging outside. Continue until each group has done all five stations (about three songs, 8-9 min).
- Use songs with clear choruses and a medium-to-fast tempo; if a chorus is very short, the teacher extends the station with a clap.
Rules
- Jog outside the circle and in the same direction so no one crosses paths.
- Switch stations only on the chorus; anyone who leaves early goes back to jogging.
- Safety: no max-effort jumps and no floor exercises on hard ground without a mat.
Variations
Easier
The teacher writes the cards and groups only switch stations when they hear the chorus.
Standard
Each group designs one station and everyone rotates through all five to the songs.
Harder
At each station, the group must add a second part to the card's exercise without repeating another group's idea.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student can use a shorter loop inside the circle and do a seated version of each exercise.
- Hearing loss: a classmate or the teacher raises a colored cone when the chorus starts and ends.
- Lower fitness: the student may power walk instead of jogging during the verses.
Learning goals
- Design a suitable warm-up exercise and explain it in writing.
- Recognize song structure to organize task changes.
- Sustain continuous, moderate-intensity activity.
Equipment for a class of 25
- music (speaker): 1
- cones: 5
- cards: 5
Teacher tip
Check the cards before starting: students sometimes pick exercises that are too intense for the opening minutes.
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