Jump Bands

Some music teacher friends of mine are curious about an activity we are doing in class these last days of school. Fourth and Fifth graders are using jump bands and having a ball. I got this idea from my friend, Kristin Lukow, who teaches music in Nebraska. Her students have been using jump bands for years and are very good at it. If you search for her on YouTube, you will see videos of her students.

Jump bands are long elastic bands. Two students put the bands on their ankles and jump to a steady beat, feet together two times, then feet apart two times. Other students do a jumping pattern that coordinates with the pattern of the bands.

We recorded this video quickly today in fourth grade music. This is their very first time using jump bands, so they are still figuring out how it works. We'll do it again next year and the progress they make in that time is amazing.

Here's a picture of our principal, Mrs. Kennedy, jumping with us today.