As you may know, one of my very favorite things to do is make up (and have the kids make up) prop routines! They are great for this year, because many props can be easily sanitized between classes and they are super fun. I use prop routines to introduce students to new music, give them an opportunity to move to their favorite music in class, teach form, teach mood, and more!
When it comes to basketballs (or kick balls), we always start in 2nd grade with Bounce High, Bounce Low to get used to bouncing together in class and expand from there. After we are awesome at just bouncing to the beat, I challenge students to make up movements to show off their skills. They can toss the ball, pass under their legs, move side to side, etc. In fact, a few of the movements in my newest routine came from ideas from my kiddos!
As we get better at our ball skills, we move on to more challenging routines. A few years ago, in combination with our PE class, we did a routine to Trepak from The Nutcracker Ballet by Tchaikovsky, and last year during quarantine we did Believer by Imagine Dragons (videos below). This year, for Mozart's Birthday, I made up a routine to Rondo Alla Turca that my 3rd and 4th grade students LOVED it! We were able to practice ball skills, rhythms (sixteenth notes!), form, and have so much fun. Note- When talking about the form of this piece we discuss how Mozart's Rondo is a little different than other rondos. Typically a rondo has the A section repeating (ABACADA, etc.) but Mozart's keeps coming back to the shorter B (ABCBABcoda). I do NOT teach this all in one class- especially only seeing kids for 30 min at a time. We may do the beginning one day, and then add in the other sections the next class.
Here is a rundown of the routine. A, B, C and Coda are color-coded! Use the video to help decode what I mean- this rundown is meant as a reminder. Feel free to adapt the routine and do what is best for your students!
4 slow bounces, 7 passes between hands fast
4 slow bounces, 7 passes between hands fast
3 dribbles to the right, then 3 to the left 2x
4 slow bounces (adding a quarter turn each bounce if you want!), 7 passes between hands fast
3 dribbles to the right, then 3 to the left 2x
4 slow bounces (adding a quarter turn each bounce if you want!), 7 passes between hands fast
2 tosses up (not too high or you won't catch it in time!), 2 slow bounces 4x
8 beats- dribble fast and lower to ground, Next 8 stand back up
8 beats- dribble fast and lower to ground, Next 8 stand back up
16 beats - Swirl, swirl, swirl, toss, swirl, swirl, spin
8 beats- dribble fast and lower to ground, Next 8 stand back up
16 beats - Swirl, swirl, swirl, toss, swirl, swirl, spin
8 beats- dribble fast and lower to ground, Next 8 stand back up
(Note about the C section- this is where I have kids improvise and show off their awesome skills. Some keep it as I teach, but others like to spin the ball on their finger, pass it behind their back, dribble between their legs, etc. I just ask that they pay attention and are ready for the next section! If this were to be done in a performance, we would discuss phrase length, repeating sections of the movement, etc. so it wasn't chaos as it can be when they are just improvising)
2 tosses up (not too high or you won't catch it in time!), 2 slow bounces 4x
4 slow bounces, 7 passes between hands fast
4 slow bounces, 7 passes between hands fast
3 dribbles to the right, then 3 to the left 2x
4 slow bounces (adding a quarter turn each bounce if you want!), 7 passes between hands fast
3 dribbles to the right, then 3 to the left 2x
4 slow bounces (adding a quarter turn each bounce if you want!), 7 passes between hands fast
2 tosses up (not too high or you won't catch it in time!), 2 slow bounces 4x
Punch air to R, Punch to left, swirl around head, bounce twice
Punch air to right, punch to left, swirl around head, bounce three times
Punch air to R, Punch to left, swirl around head, bounce twice
Punch air to right, punch to left, swirl around head, bounce three times
Toss in air
Bounce
Bounce
Bounce
Toss to finish!
I hope your students LOVE this routine as much as mine do! And don't forget to check out the other basketball routines below!
Trepak from The Nutcracker Ballet
