Hokey Pokey Left-and-Right Challenge
A circle song where students put the body part and side named in the lyrics into and out of the circle, turning around at the end of each verse. It builds right-left identification across the whole body, rhythm and balance.
How to play
- Big circle facing the center. Everyone raises their right hand and checks with the person beside them (1 min).
- Teach the song without music: "You put your right hand in", "you take your right hand out", "you shake it all about", "you do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around" (turn in place) (2 min).
- First round with music: right hand, left hand, right foot and left foot (3 min).
- Second round: right elbow, left knee, right shoulder, left hip and, at the end, "whole self" with a jump into the center (3 min).
- Trick round: from the circle, you sometimes use the wrong side; students follow the lyrics, not you (2 min).
- A student picks the body part and side for the last verse (1 min).
Rules
- After each turn, return to the same spot in the circle.
- Turn in place and slowly, without bumping your neighbors.
- When one foot goes in, keep the other firmly planted.
Variations
Easier
Only hands and feet, sung more slowly.
Standard
Hands, feet, elbows, knees and shoulders at normal tempo.
Harder
On each verse the teacher sings whether to turn to the right or to the left.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: students using wheelchairs use hands, elbows, shoulders and head, and spin the chair or roll their arms on the turn.
- Hearing impairment: before each verse the teacher clearly points to the body part, within the student's view.
- Skill level: confident students turn with a jump; unsure students stand next to a classmate who models the side.
Learning goals
- Identify right and left on different body parts.
- Coordinate movements with the rhythm of a song.
- Keep their balance on one foot.
Equipment for a class of 25
- music: 1
Teacher tip
If you face the group you become a mirror and flip the sides: stand in the circle facing the center like everyone else. With 6-year-olds, review the right hand every round.
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