Eight Counts and Switch: A Partner Warm-Up to Music

In two concentric circles, partners do warm-up moves that last one eight-count musical phrase, then rotate. Students get moving by following the structure of the music.

How to play

1. Two circles, one inside the other, partners face to face. Listen to the music and count eight beats out loud, clapping and stepping in place (2 min).
2. Eight-count partner moves: cross high-fives, squat and overhead clap, side steps out and back, knee to opposite elbow (3 min).
3. Every two phrases, the outer circle moves one spot to the right and repeats the block with the new partner (3 min).
4. Each pair invents its own eight-count block and teaches it to the next partner after rotating (2 min).

Rules

• Always count out loud to stay on the beat.
• Partner claps are gentle and at chest height.
• Walk when rotating; no running between circles.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the teacher marks the beat with a raised hand and the partner counts on their fingers.
• Wheelchair users: do the arm and trunk moves and sit in the inner circle, where rotating has more room.
• Students who struggle with coordination: they can hit only counts 1 and 5 and march in place for the rest.

Learning goals

• Warm up to a musical beat.
• Recognize eight-count musical phrases.
• Create and teach a simple movement block.

Equipment for a class of 25

• speaker: 1

Teacher tip

Use royalty-free instrumental music around 120 beats per minute with a strong beat. Students often start off the beat: count 'five, six, seven, eight' before each block.

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