Half-tempo routine without music: a calm review

Cool-down for the dance unit: groups review the routine they have been working on at half speed and then without music, counting it themselves. The slow pace lowers arousal and forces students to really know the sequence by heart.

How to play

1. With the music at normal speed, one last gentle run-through of the routine (1 min).
2. The same routine at half tempo, exaggerating the range and control of each step (2 min).
3. Without music: the group counts the beats quietly and dances in unison (2 min).
4. Repeat in total silence, without counting out loud, syncing only by eye contact (2 min).
5. Each group names the step where it fell out of sync most so it can work on it next time (1 min).

Rules

• Half-tempo turns are done with the whole foot down so nobody loses balance.
• If someone gets lost, the group stops and starts again from the beginning of the phrase.
• Respect other groups' space.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: mark the routine with the arms and trunk from the wheelchair.
• Hearing impairment: a partner shows the count visually with their fingers.
• Ankle injury: replace jumps and turns with steps and mark with the arms.

Learning goals

• Lower arousal at the end of the dance session.
• Consolidate memory of the routine without relying on the music.
• Identify weak points in the sequence to improve them.

Equipment for a class of 25

• speaker: 1

Teacher tip

Many music apps can slow down a track without changing the pitch. Note each group's difficult steps to start there next session.

More activities like this

More cool-downs for High School