Elizabeth sent me this great link about including stillness in the classroom.
This is something I do all the time (I learnt it from my martial arts classes where you do a minute pause each lesson). It helps keep the balance between the super genki stuff and also helps pace the lesson.
So for example in my big shows I would do the Rocket Launch Warm Up (using the long version where you can add in lots of “jump”, “spin”, “stand up”s etc.) then a main song such as Left & Right or Rock Paper Scissors and the Good Morning song.
Then I’d do a “silent” version of the Warm Up but this time I’d be …. really … really … quiet. Shushing the kids when they made even a slight noise. I’d add in “good morning” – the kids would whisper it, genkily, but still whispering, and then I’d say “good night”.
The kids would all fall down pretending to sleep!
So I’d prepare the next part of the lesson, give them a minute and then shout out “GOOD MORNING!” and they’d all wake up and be full of attention for a talky bit or explanation about something.
So balance is the key, and slient pauses are worth their weight
in gold.
P.S. Also have a look at my Genki Relax programme, I think you might like it!
Thank you for the link.
I think stillness is something we often forget about, not only at school.