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Name of Activity: Skip to My Lou
Purpose of Activity: To provide maximum participation and fun while teaching skipping.
Prerequisites: To be able to perform the skills of hopping and walking.
Suggested Grade Level: K-2
Materials Needed: a cone for each student, music: "Skip To My Lou"
Description of Idea Set up cones in pairs about 20 feet between: C----20ft-----C. Students stand by a cone and learn how to skip to the classic American song, "Skip To My Lou." Describe skipping, using the cues "step-hop, step-hop." Let them know that this is a popular song in which one traditionally trades off partners and that they will be learning a variation of this song. Without the music, ask students to skip in a straight line towards their partner, reciting “step-hop, step-hop" until they have reached their partner. When they are facing each other, tell them to “freeze.” Have students link arms and skip, turning clockwise in a circle. Let the students practice until they feel comfortable, and, thereafter, skip back in a straight line to their cone. There are two parts to the song:
#1: On the words “Skip to My Lou”, the students will skip towards their partner. #2: When the students reach their partner, they will hear: “Flies in the buttermilk, cows in the corn, little red wagon," etc. During these parts, link arms and turn in a clockwise circle. (option: walk or skip) Before the students begin the activity, teach them the customary practice in folk dancing to acknowledge their partner by bowing (for boys) or performing a curtsey (for girls).
Assessment Ideas: Ask the questions,
* What cues did we learn for skipping today? (step-hop, step-hop)
* What was the most difficult part of the day’s lesson?
* Did anyone discover that when the music got faster, they moved faster? Why do you think that is? (Rhythm)
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities: Learning and physical disabilities can be incorporated by walking instead of skipping.
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