Here are 2 kinesthetic lessons for learning circles and circling line alphabet shapes. This applies to printing but especially to cursive writing.

Age: 4+ Preschool through 2nd grade and older learning disabled students.

For: Teachers for the benefit of students.

Skills learned: Circles and circling lines, clockwise and counterclockwise.

Introduction: Alphabet letters are made up of sticks, curves and circles, and circling lines formed by moving in directions, clockwise and counterclockwise. By practicing the circle shapes kinesthetically, with their full body, kids experience an alphabet letter shape. This gives them more in-depth insight that just seeing the written shape and tracing with their pencils or hands.

And, moving from one shape to the next gives students an idea of the smooth flow of letters that make up words, sentences: the flow of language.

I've had a lot of fun inventing these shapes with pre-K and primary students and those with learning and physical disabilities, both in the regular classroom and special education as a dance specialist since 1965.

Suggestion: To begin, clear enough floor space, perhaps by pushing desks or tables to the sides of the room and using the center story time carpet.

Lesson 1. Moving in clockwise circles

Have students join hands in a circle facing in to center.

Slide to left while still holding hands. To do this students begin with their feet together; then bend knees slightly; slide left foot to left side and pull right foot to join it. That completes one slide.

Just continue the sequence of slides moving the circle around in the clockwise direction.

Verbally point out to students that they are moving clockwise as they will need that terminology later when making clockwise circles on paper in preparation for drawing alphabet letters and numbers.

Lesson 2. Moving in counterclockwise circles

Have students join hands in a circle facing in to center.

Slide to right while still holding hands. To do this students begin with their feet together; then bend knees slightly; slide right foot to right side and pull left foot to join it. That completes one slide.

Just continue the sequence of slides moving the circle around in this counterclockwise direction. Tell students that they are moving counterclockwise as they will need to know what it means when they go to their desks to draw counterclockwise circles in preparation for alphabet and number work.

I suggest that after each lesson moving in circles to spend time drawing the circles on paper - to immediately tie the lesson to the academics.

Article by Susan Kramer

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For offline reading

Kinesthetic Math and Language Lessons -
You´ll find 33 beginning and advanced kinesthetic math and language lessons in 78 pages for kids of all abilities in grades K-6, including teaching all ages the one-hand alphabet with large photos of the letter shapes.


And, for ages 2 to 5, more than 10 kinesthetic learning lessons, plus rhythms, dances and exercises in this workbook Rhythms and Dances for Toddlers and Preschoolers