One Body Part Dance
With music playing, students dance moving only the body part the teacher calls, like the head, one arm or the hips, while the rest of the body stays still. They work on moving body segments independently, body control and self-expression.
How to play
- Spread students around the space, each with room to stretch out their arms without touching anyone (1 min).
- The teacher starts the music and calls a part: just the head. Everyone dances moving only that part while the rest of the body is a statue (3 min).
- Every 20 seconds, change the body part: shoulders, one arm, hands, one leg, hips, face. The teacher models with big, silly moves (4 min).
- Stop the music: everyone freezes. Anyone still moving does a quick fun challenge, like a spin in place, and keeps playing (2 min).
- In pairs, one partner secretly picks a body part to move and the other guesses it and copies it like a mirror; then they switch (4 min).
- To finish, add the body parts back one by one until everyone is dancing with their whole body (1 min).
Rules
- Dance in your own space, at least an arm's length from anyone.
- Keep head movements slow and gentle.
- No one is out for moving during a freeze.
- Respect everyone's dance; no teasing.
Variations
Easier
Use only big body parts, like arms, legs and trunk, with slow songs.
Standard
Alternate big and small body parts with medium-tempo music.
Harder
Move two body parts that are far apart at once, like one hand and the opposite foot, to fast music.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility dances seated, choosing body parts from the trunk up.
- For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, use music with strong bass they can feel through the floor and a picture card of the body part.
- Let shy students start dancing next to a trusted friend or facing the wall.
Learning goals
- Move single body segments while the rest of the body stays still.
- Express oneself through movement to the rhythm of the music.
- Name the body parts used in each movement.
Equipment for a class of 25
- music player and playlist: 1
Teacher tip
Pick short, familiar songs with different tempos; young kids tend to move their whole body, so loudly praise anyone who keeps the rest of the body still.
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