English Warm-Up Dictation: Your Partner Picks the Move

A partner warm-up where one student reads English moves from a card, such as jog, skip, side shuffle, high knees or lunge walk, combined with directions and numbers, and the other does them without seeing the card. The body warms up gradually while students practice English listening.

How to play

1. Quick group review of ten movement verbs and the directions forward, backward, left and right with their gestures (2 min).
2. In pairs, between two cones 15 m apart, the caller reads a line from the level 1 card, for example jog forward, side shuffle back, and the partner does it (3 min).
3. Switch roles with the level 2 card, with harder moves and numbers, for example five squat jumps then skip forward (3 min).
4. Free round: each caller makes up a three-action combination in English and the partner does it (2 min).

Rules

• Backward movements are done at an easy jog, looking over the shoulder.
• Pairs use parallel lanes separated by cones so they don't cross.
• Intensity builds gradually: the level 2 card is never used first.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: the partner shows the card with the cue and drawing instead of reading it aloud.
• Limited mobility: actions are adapted to wheelchair movement and arm moves, such as arm circles or push forward.
• Language difficulties: start as the mover and repeat each cue out loud before doing it.

Learning goals

• Warm up the body gradually before the main activity.
• Understand and give movement cues in English.
• Cooperate with a partner, taking turns as leader.

Equipment for a class of 25

• worksheets: 14
• cones: 28

Teacher tip

Make the two-level cards once and laminate them: they work all year. It's a good lead-in to Coach in English.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for High School