Submitted by Tami Mangusso, Aurora, Colorado
Idea posted August 6, 2010
I teach the cup routine in levels because I think students are so open to it because of video games. I use levels for everything.
Here is what I do:
Lesson One, Level One: Pick up the cup, then pass the cup by laying it in front of the person to their right. We do this without music first. When they have mastered it, then we sing the song a cappella. If they can do it a cappella, then we do it with the recorded music.
Lesson Two, Level Two: First we review Level One, then I add the clapping part. Clap, clap, tap tap tap (we say, "Clap, clap, bub-ble-gum") clap, lift the cup up, then pass the cup. We practice Level Two like we did with Level One.
Lesson Three, Level Three: Review Level Two. For Level Three, I have the students wear wristbands on their right hand. I go very, very, slowly when I teach them the grabbing and the flipping of the cup. We do it as a group several times, then I let them practice on their own or in small groups. We don't do this level with any music (no singing or recorded music). We only practice the motions of the cup. We do not pass the cup at this level. They just tap the cup in front of themselves, no passing to their neighbor.
Lesson Four, Level Four: Review the grab and flipping of the cup. I let them practice for a few minutes. Then, we try to add part one with part two. Some classes just go through the motions, but some classes are ready to add the music to it. If they seem to really have it, then we add the passing of the cup. Otherwise, we wait until the next class period to add the passing part.
Lesson Five, Level Five: Review the patterns and the grab/flip of the cup. Work on passing to our neighbor. Then, try to put the whole thing together.
I would also suggest to not spend too much time on this. It can make some kids very frustrated and they don't have the patience to continue on. This is when they will begin to act out or get distracted and do their own thing. Also, keep in mind that the cup activity requires the use of both sides of the brain because they cross the mid-line. Many students and adults struggle when they have to cross the mid-line. I usually only spend 10-15 minutes on this, then we move on to the next item on the agenda.