Saturday, January 2, 2016

JUMP UP, TURN AROUND, CROSS THE MIDLINE

It’s the second day of the New Year, and I bet you’re working on lesson plans. It’s important to activate both sides of the brain by crossing from left to right and right to left. Here’s a video that’s great to start your day or when the children get a little restless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slVzDBKyxIo 
                                 
Jump Up, Turn around, Cross the Midline
Jump up, turn around, cross the midline, (Jump, turn, stretch arms left.)
Jump up, turn around, cross it every day. (Jump, turn, stretch arms right.)
Jump up, turn around, cross the midline,
Jump up, turn around, let’s see how many ways.
Bend low and pick that bean. (Bend down to the left with right hand.)
Bend low and pick that pea. (Bend down to the right with left hand.)
Bend low and pick that berry.
Bend low and get that squash for me.
Jump up stretch and pick that apple. (High to the left with right hand.)
Jump up stretch and pick that pear. (High to the right with left hand.)
Jump up stretch and pick that cherry.
Jump up and get that orange over there.
Now dig a hole with the shovel, (Pretend to hold shovel to left.)
Now weed a row with the hoe, (Pretend to dig on the right.)
Get that ax and chop those vines down, (Chop left to right.)
Lift that ax and chop to and fro. (Chop right to left.)
Grab a cart and let’s go shopping. (Pretend to hold a grocery cart and reach
Reach to the left and fill up your cart. right hand to left.)
Reach to the right and get some more things. (Reach left hand to right.)
Left, right, left, right, into the cart.
Use both hands and pull that boat in. (Pull from left to right.)
Use both hands and hoist that sail. (Pull from right to left.)
Now climb up with the ladder. (Pretend to climb a ladder.)
Get in the boat before it sails.
Make lazy eights with your right hand. (Make “8” laying down.)
Make lazy eights with your left hand, too.
Wave so long with your right hand. (Big wave in front of body.)
Left hand waves good-bye to you, too.



Cross Lateral Connections
Have children put their two fists together to make their “brain.” Explain that both sides of the brain have to work together. Draw an imaginary line down the middle of your body. That’s the midline. Crossing over that imaginary line builds bridges in their brain. Put a piece of masking tape or painter’s tape down their bodies so they can visually see how they cross the midline when they sing the song.

Brain Hug
Demonstrate how children can “hug their brain” and cross the midline.
1. Thumbs up – Extend arms and stick up thumbs in front of you.
2. Cross arms
3. Clasp fingers
4. Bring fists down and up to hug chest

You’re the Best 
Here’s a simpler version of a brain hug just right for the younger students. Ask the students to repeat each line as you demonstrate.
1. Thumbs up.
2. Across the chest.
3. Pat on the back.
4. Cause you’re the BEST!


Streamers
Make rainbow wands to use for cross lateral activities by taping tissue paper streamers to a craft stick. Put on some music and have children follow along as you make different movements.