Roll-a-Dance Giant Dice Routine

Each group rolls a giant die four times and uses the numbers to build a routine from the moves on a poster: jumps, turns, arm waves or steps. Students practice creativity, rhythm and making decisions as a group.

How to play

1. Post a sheet of cardstock with six numbered moves: 1 jump, 2 turn, 3 arm wave, 4 side step, 5 claps, 6 free pose (2 min).
2. Practice all six moves with the whole class to the beat, eight counts each (4 min).
3. Form 5 groups of 5; each group rolls the die four times and writes down the order of its four moves (2 min).
4. Each group rehearses its 32-count routine and decides how to do each move: in a line, in a circle or as a ripple (6 min).
5. Groups take turns performing to music while the class tries to guess which numbers they rolled (5 min).
6. Wrap-up: the whole class dances the routine of the group they vote for (1 min).

Rules

• Land jumps with bent knees.
• Every group member takes part in every move.
• Roll the die along the floor; never throw it at anyone.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the poster offers an arms-up option for the jump that the student can do seated.
• Hearing impairment: one group member shows the eight counts on their fingers.
• Fitness level: if the jump comes up twice in a row, the group may swap one for claps.

Learning goals

• Combine given moves into an original rhythmic sequence.
• Make group decisions about how to interpret a task.
• Fit the routine to the beat of the music.

Equipment for a class of 25

• giant die: 1
• music
• speakers: 1
• cardstock: 1

Teacher tip

Make the poster with big pictures as well as numbers. If you do not have a giant die, roll a regular one inside a hoop.

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