Activity:
This is a simple movement sequence using fractions. The sequence is presented three times with
each repetition presenting a new challenge:
1. slowly
2. faster, taking half the time to do each movement
3. without verbal cues.
Everybody's doin' the Action Fraction
Gettin' mathematical satisfaction
Dancin' a radical new sensation
Sweepin' it's way across the nation
Reach up high as you can go
Bend down low and touch your toes
Lift your hands half way up
And mark the middle with a clap, clap, clap
Reach up high as you can go
Bend down low and touch your toes
Lift your hands one fourth the way
Snap your fingers, step and sway
Reach up high as you can go
Bend down low and touch your toes
Lift your hands three fourths the way
Jiggle and shake 'em any old way
Turn one third and wave your hand
Turn another third and wave once more
Turn another third and you're right back home
Ready to what you did before
Reach up high ... bend down low ...
Lift your hands half way and clap
Reach up high ... bend down low ...
Lift your hands one fourth and snap
Reach up high ... bend down low...
Lift your hands three fourths and shake
Turn one third ... turn another third
Turn another third and you're right back home
Ready to what you did before
(Rhythm vamp - Repeat the sequence.)
Everybody's doin' the Action Fraction
Gettin' mathematical satisfaction
Dancin' a radical new sensation
Sweepin' it's way across the nation
Variation:
- During the final chorus, participants do the sequence as fast as they can.
- Have participants add a movement of their own choice to each motion. Examples:
reach up high and jump
bend down low and bounce
clap hands and hop
Follow up:
- Help older students become aware of the counts for each motion. "The first time through the sequence we took 8 counts to reach high, 8 counts to bend low, and 16 counts to clap our hands. The second time through we took one half the time. How many counts did we take for each motion? "
- Have students estimate fractions. "Find a place in the room and call it home. Walk half way to the door and return home... jump three fourths the way to the nearest window and return home ... hop one third the way to the light switch and return home."
This song is available on Hap Palmer's Can A Jumbo Jet Sing The Alphabet?
These songs and activities are for the personal use of parents and teachers only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Hap-Pal Music, Box 323 Topanga, CA 90290 e-mail: hap@netwood.net.
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