Get Your Students Moving with a Supa Good Body Percussion Play-Along

If you're heading back to school soon, I hope you enjoyed last week's series featuring five Hello Songs for Preschool and Kindergarten. My goal was to give you several options for beginning your music class routine—whether you're welcoming students on the first day of school or re-establishing routines after a holiday break.

This week, I'm building on the "Supa Good" from Dog Man rhythm play-along by adding something new—a body percussion play-along!

Why Use Body Percussion?

Body percussion is one of my favorite ways to get students actively making music without needing any instruments. It allows students to:

• 🎵 Feel the rhythm patterns they see and hear.

• ❤️ Internalize the steady beat through movement.

• 🤸 Develop both locomotor and non-locomotor movement skills.

• ✋ Strengthen fine and gross motor coordination.

• 😊 Get up and move while staying musically engaged.

• 🎧 Connect with age-appropriate music that many students already recognize and enjoy.

It's a simple activity that combines movement, listening, rhythm, and fun—all while building important musical skills.

Body Movements Used in the Play-Along

Quarter Notes

Choose one movement that works best for your students:

• Tap knees

• Jump in place

• Walk in place

• Clap

You'll notice that some quarter notes show two possible movements. This is intentional! I wanted to give students (and teachers) flexibility so everyone can choose the movement that is most comfortable and successful.

Whole Note

👏 Clap on beat one, then wave your hands in the air for beats two, three, and four.

Quarter Rest

🤫 Show your quiet signal for one beat.

Whole Rest

🤫 Hold your quiet signal for four beats.

Challenge Rhythm Pattern

Ready for an extra challenge?

This pattern features the famous saxophone riff from James Brown's "I Feel Good."

Students should:

• 👏 Clap the eighth note.

• 🦵 Tap their knees on the dotted quarter note.

• ✨ Slide their hands down their knees during the tied quarter note.

This makes a great extension for older elementary students who are ready for a more advanced rhythm challenge.

Be Sure to Download the Free Manipulatives

Before introducing the play-along, I highly recommend downloading the free manipulatives available on my Buy Me a Coffee Extras page.

The manipulatives allow you to:

• Practice the challenge rhythm pattern before watching the video.

• Introduce each body movement one at a time.

• Show students the alternative quarter-note movements.

• Build confidence before performing the complete play-along.

If you decide to jump straight into the video, just keep in mind that some quarter notes display two movement choices. Students are simply meant to choose the movement that works best for them.

I hope this activity brings lots of movement, smiles, and successful music-making to your classroom. Whether you're introducing rhythm concepts, reinforcing steady beat, or simply looking for an engaging brain break, this body percussion play-along is a fun way to get everyone involved.

Happy music making!

🎁 Grab your free manipulatives here: https://buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/extras