Materials

 

Twister Mats - one mat per every 3 students (you can find these at garage sales and thrift stores). Draw music symbols

on the colored dots.  I have found that it is best to limit the number of symbols per each color.  Since there are 6 dots per color, I use 2-3 symbols per each color.  I also tape the concepts to the dots rather than draw on the mat so I can use the mats for multiple concepts.

 

Twister Spinner - one for the teacher or one for every mat.  Draw the same symbols that are on the mat to the same

colors on the spinner.  HINT: I have occasionally divided each color square on the spinner in two (e.g., left foot green quarter note on the right side and left foot green forte symbol on the left side) so there are more options. I also tape the concepts to the board so I can use for multiple concepts.  Finally, you can find online spinners for free on the Internet.

 

 

 

 

Directions

 

1. Spread the mats faceup on a flat surface around the room.

 

2. Split students into groups of 3-4 (I only group students by same gender unless a special circumstance).

 

3. Have students take off their shoes and set them aside.

 

4. Starting Postion: Two of the players face each other on opposite ends of the mat, near the word Twister. Each of these

player place one foot on the yellow circle and the other foot on the blue circle closest to his or her end of the mat. The third player faces the center from the red-circle side of the mat, placing one foot each on the two middle red circles.  If a mat has Fourth players, see below under Team Play.

 

5. The teacher spins the spinner, then calls out the body part, color, and music symbol the arrow is pointing to.

 

6. Students move to the correct dot.

 

7. If the called-out hand or foot is already on a circle of the called-out color, a player must move it to another circle of the

same color and music symbol.

 

There can never be more than one hand or foot on any one circle.

 

If two or more players reach for the same circle, one player must find another vacant circle of the same color.

 

A player can never remove their hand or foot from a circle unless they are directed by the spinner.  An exception to this is to lift a foot or hand to allow another player to pass by; however, it must be replaced immediately.

 

If all 6 circles of a color are already covered, the referee must spin again until a different color can be called out.

 

8. If a player falls, or touches their elbow or knee to the mat, they are immediately out of the game.

 

9. The last player left in the game is the winner.

 

 

 

Team Play

 

For a 4-player game, form 2 teams of 2 players each. Teams face each other on opposite ends of the mat, standing side-by-side with each foot on a circle so that all 4 circles closest to the Twistername are covered.  Just as in a 3-player game, the teacher spins the spinner and calls out a hand or foot, color circle, and music symbol. The only exception is that members of the same team can cover the same circle with one hand or foot each, but as soon as a player falls or touches the mat with an elbow or knee, the player's team is eliminated and the other team is the winner.