Windmill Arms

Children are windmills: they spin their arms as the drum-wind blows, twist the trunk, and stop when the wind dies down. They warm up the shoulders and work on arm coordination.

How to play

1. Standing apart like windmills in a field, legs wide and arms out to the sides (1 min).
2. Light wind (slow drum): one arm circles forward slowly like a blade, then the other (1 min).
3. Strong wind (fast drum): both arms circle, first forward, then backward (1 min).
4. The mill grinds the wheat: hands together, twist the waist side to side and reach down to touch one knee (1 min).
5. The wind goes away (drum stops): the blades slow down and the arms drop down heavy (1 min).

Rules

• My blades don't touch another windmill: I keep space around me.
• Light wind, I spin slowly; strong wind, faster.
• When the drum stops, I stop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: be a windmill seated, circling the arms and twisting from the chair.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher waves the drum up high, slow or fast, so the wind can be seen.
• Autism: be the «middle windmill» in a spot marked with a hoop, always the same place.

Learning goals

• Warm up the shoulder joint.
• Match movement speed to the beat.
• Coordinate both arms.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pandero: 1

Teacher tip

Space kids out well first: have them stretch out their arms and not touch anyone. Fast backward circles can make some dizzy, so keep the strong wind short.

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