Jump the Hoop: Steady Beat Movement Game | Free Music Lesson Plan

Music Lesson Plan

Step 1
Start with a hook! Ask your students, "Who wants to play a game?"

Step 2
Before we play, we need to learn the song "Did You Ever See a Lassie?" Teach the lyrics phrase by phrase. Once they know the words, ask the students to pat their knees on beat one of each measure. This helps them feel the macrobeat before they start jumping.

Step 3
Scatter eight hula hoops around the room. Assign about 3-4 students to each hoop.

Step 4
Explain the rules. "We are going to jump in and out of the hula hoops to the beat. If you are in the right spot when the music stops, you stay in! If you're in the wrong place, you'll join 'the band' until the next round starts. The team with the most players at the end wins!"

Step 5
Give them a practice run. Have the students jump on beat one of each measure while singing the song:

Did you ever (jump) see a Lassie (jump),
A Lassie (jump),
A Lassie (jump),
Did you ever (jump) see a Lassie (jump),
Go this way (jump) and that (jump)?

Step 6
Start the game! Play for about 10 to 15 rounds. Have everyone start inside the hoop at the beginning of each round. Keep an eye out for who is inside or outside when the music stops. For students who are "out," ask them to grab a drum or rhythm sticks so they can keep the beat with the band until the very end!

Step 7
Reward the winners!

Variation for Upper Elementary Students

Older kids love this game too! To make it more challenging, try using different meters like 5/4. Play tracks like the Mission: Impossible theme or Dave Brubeck’s Take Five to keep them on their toes.