The Baton That Leads Our Feet

The teacher conducts a very special orchestra: the baton doesn't lead instruments but the children's feet, which walk faster or slower depending on how it moves. It works on matching walking speed to a visual, rhythmic cue.

How to play

1. We show the baton: if it moves slowly up and down, we walk slowly; if it moves fast, we walk fast; if it stays still, we stop (2 min).
2. The "foot musicians" walk around the room following the slow and fast baton, with no music (2 min).
3. We turn on music and the baton is still the boss: sometimes it matches the song and sometimes not, and we follow the baton (3 min).
4. The baton draws things too: if it goes way up high, we walk on tiptoe; if it goes down to the floor, we walk crouched low (2 min).
5. Taking turns, some children conduct the foot orchestra for the group (2 min).
6. The concert's over: we take a bow and clap for the conductors (1 min).

Rules

• Your feet follow the baton.
• Still baton, still feet.
• Watch the baton the whole time.
• Walk, don't run, even if the baton goes really fast.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they can be the conductor, or follow the baton moving their arms or rolling in their wheelchair.
• Hearing impairment: the activity is visual; the music is just background.
• Visual impairment: swap the baton for a hand drum played fast or slow right next to them.

Learning goals

• Match walking speed to a visual signal.
• Tell slow, fast and still apart.
• Show rhythm with their bodies.

Equipment for a class of 25

• baton or wooden stick: 1
• music

Teacher tip

Use a brightly colored baton or stick with no sharp tip. If you pick fast music and keep the baton slow, you'll see who's watching and who's only listening; that's the fun of it.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary