The Body Chant That Goes Quiet

With a made-up chant that travels down the body, children touch each part as they name it; each round, one word goes silent and they only touch the part. It builds naming and locating body parts, rhythm and attention.

How to play

1. The teacher teaches the chant while touching each part: "Head and shoulders, elbows and hands, tummy and knees, ankles and feet; boom, boom, boom, one more time!" (2 min).
2. Say it all together, standing, slowly, touching each part (2 min).
3. Repeat it faster, then very slowly, to the drumbeat (2 min).
4. The silent game begins: each round one part isn't said, only touched ("...and shoulders, elbows and hands..."), until almost everything is touched in silence (3 min).
5. Last round in whispers, sitting down on "feet" (1 min).

Rules

• Touch each part as we say it.
• The hidden word isn't said, only touched.
• Follow the drumbeat.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: touch the parts within reach and point to the others with a finger or the eyes.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher exaggerates the movement and shows a card for the hidden part.
• Autism: post the chant as picture symbols on the wall, always in the same order.

Learning goals

• Locate and touch body parts in sequence.
• Keep the chant's rhythm as the speed changes.
• Strengthen attention and body memory.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

The chant is original, so adapt it to the parts you're working on. At first the hidden word slips out and they giggle; that's part of the fun.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary