Cup Rhythm Circle

Sitting in a circle, students learn a rhythm pattern with a plastic cup (claps, taps and passing the cup to the next person) and play it as a group, faster and faster. Students practice rhythm, hand-eye coordination and focus.

How to play

1. Form three circles of 8 or 9 students sitting on the floor, each with a cup upside down in front (2 min).
2. Teach part one: clap, clap, three taps of the cup on the floor, clap (4 min).
3. Teach part two: pick up the cup, tap its mouth on the other hand, tap its base down, and set it to the right for your neighbor (5 min).
4. Each circle practices the whole pattern slowly until cups travel without jams (4 min).
5. Gradually speed up; if a cup falls, the circle keeps going and the owner picks it up (3 min).
6. Final round: all three circles play together at the same tempo for one minute (2 min).

Rules

• Tap the cup on the floor, never against a classmate.
• Always pass in the direction the teacher calls.
• If a cup drops, the circle does not stop: pick it up and keep going.
• Stack the cups when you are done.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays on a table at chair height and the circle forms around it.
• Visual impairment: use a brightly colored cup and seat the student next to a partner who slides the cup over.
• Coordination level: a student who struggles does only the claps while the neighbor sets the cup in front.

Learning goals

• Perform a rhythm pattern with an object while keeping the beat.
• Coordinate your movements with the partner passing the cup.
• Stay focused as the tempo gets faster.

Equipment for a class of 25

• stacking cups: 25

Teacher tip

Teach facing the group with your own cup, like a mirror. Practice the pattern to a familiar slow-beat song before speeding up.

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