Build Connection Through Movement: A Cooperative Learning Activity

Creating an engaging and inclusive classroom environment at the beginning of the school year is key to fostering a sense of belonging. One effective approach is incorporating cooperative learning through movement-based activities. In this article, you'll discover how to use a fun, dance-based activity called Mix and Match Movements to help children collaborate, communicate, and express themselves creatively. This activity is perfect for young children and supports physical, emotional, and social development while giving students a break from seated or fine-motor tasks.

Why Choose Cooperative Learning Through Movement?

Cooperative learning enables students to work toward a common goal while practicing important social skills like listening, sharing, problem-solving, and decision-making. Adding movement into the mix helps energize students and supports kinesthetic learners! 

When students are physically engaged, they're also more likely to be emotionally and cognitively invested. This cooperative learning activity encourages expression, creativity, and group cohesion—critical elements for a strong classroom culture.

One way to help children feel comfortable and make new friends at the beginning of the school year is to present opportunities to work on activities together. Try a fun, dance-based activity that involves cooperation, teamwork, and creativity with kids.

Elements of Dance as the Foundation

Like other art forms, dance is built on fundamental elements. These elements are also the building blocks of this dance-based activity:

• Body: How the body is shaped or positioned in space
• Action: Movements the body can perform—either in place or while traveling
• Time: Speed, rhythm, tempo, and timing of the movement
• Space: Direction, level, pathway, size, and relationship to others
• Energy: The quality and flow of movement

By exploring and manipulating these elements, students learn the basics of choreography while working together.

Mix and Match Movements Activity 

I have used these same elements to create this cooperative learning game. The game emphasizes creativity, spatial awareness, and cooperative learning, as students must communicate, compromise, and support one another.

In Part 1, children will use the movements listed below as the starting point for the activity. They will need to work cooperatively as they try out each other’s movements, decide how best to combine them, and then perform the phrase together.

Part 2 offers ideas for expanding the activity. These suggestions include doing the phrase at different levels, at different speeds, in different directions, and adding an emotion or quality.

Duration

• Part 1 only: 15–20 minutes
• Parts 1 and 2 together: 45–60 minutes

Materials Needed

• Flash cards or index cards with Mix and Match Movement Cards 
• Large open space for movement
• Optional music

Part 1—Directions

1. Divide the Class: In a large open space, divide students into groups of 3–4.
2. Distribute Cards: Give each child a movement card and allow them to try their movement several times.
3. Group Collaboration: Within their groups, children take turns demonstrating their movements so everyone can try them.
4. Create a Movement Sentence: Explain that each movement is like a word, and the group’s goal is to create a movement sentence by putting their movements in a sequence.
5. Experiment and Choose: Students try different combinations and decide on their favorite order as a team.
6. Design Transitions: Ask groups to create a starting position (e.g., crouched on the floor) and an ending position to signal the conclusion of the sentence.
7. Practice and Perform: Groups rehearse until they can smoothly transition from the starting position through all movements and end in their final pose.
8. Group Performance: Each group performs their movement phrase for the class, either with or without music.

Part 2—Variations for Deeper Engagement

To extend this cooperative learning activity, try these creative prompts. They challenge students to modify their movement sentences while continuing to collaborate. You can assign one variation per group or let each group choose.

Suggested Variations

• Perform in slow motion, then as fast as possible.
• Repeat the phrase four times, changing direction each time (front, side, back, other side).
• Add emotion: try performing as if surprised, bored, happy, or angry.
• Restrict movement space: perform in a very small area or stretch to use as much space as possible.
• Reverse the sequence or perform it backward.
• Use directional changes: try moving only sideways.
• Change dynamics: perform softly, then loudly; tired, then energetic.
• Change texture: try the phrase jerkily, then smoothly.
• Use environmental constraints: pretend the ceiling is low or that you’re carrying a heavy object.
• Combine groups: Each group teaches their phrase to another, and they create a longer, combined sequence.
• Invite students to create their own variation.

These challenges provide an opportunity for differentiation and enhance both motor and cognitive skills while keeping cooperative learning central.

Bringing the Activity to a Close

Wrap up this cooperative learning activity by having each group choose their favorite version of their movement sentence. Encourage them to consider what felt most creative, fun, or expressive.

Final Performance

• Play a variety of music while groups perform—either all at once or individually.
• For the final round, have each group hold their ending position for a few seconds.
• After the final pose, guide students to slowly "melt" to the floor.
• Encourage them to take a few deep breaths to center themselves and bring the activity to a peaceful conclusion.

This reflective ending helps reinforce self-regulation and provides closure to a physically engaging experience.

Conclusion: Cooperative Movement Builds Community

The Mix and Match Movements activity is more than just a fun break from sitting still—it's a strategic tool for building community, trust, and engagement. By integrating cooperative learning, students practice empathy, negotiation, and expression in a playful yet meaningful context.

This dance-based activity is easily adaptable, open-ended, and rich with educational value. Whether you use it at the beginning of the year or as a recurring team-building exercise, you’ll find it’s an impactful way to nurture your classroom culture and get your students moving! Find even more inspiration for joyful movement in From A to Z with Energy!: 26 Ways to Move and Play!