The basic body positions for embodying the base ten system are shown on the Basics Page
Here is will outline some exercises that work well with the embodied base ten.
First I like to have the students make the Base Ten circle on a large piece of butcher block paper. This will then be a way for them to feel into each of the positions. They will have already drawn the patterns by this time, and so know how to make the circle and draw the patterns on the large scale. There is something powerful about working large. I find it can make all the difference for students who struggle. This is why with many of the activities we do them on smaller and then larger scales. For example the tables.
Here is Za'kea making the circle and connecting the ones. Students will want to work with a partner. It is good to let them pick their partner, as they will enjoy the activity more this way.
Once they have completed the circle, they can take turns lying on it and embodying the ten positions. The partner will give a number to his/her friend who is lying on the circle. You can modify this where they have to do a math problem. But in the beginning just have them give a single digit number.
The student monitoring the position will stand above his/her partner and evaluate how well they achieved the goal of embodying the number. The monitor will correct hand position as well as arm and leg position. This is a great way for the monitoring student to feel empowered, have a bit of human contact, and learn the positions by teaching. The one who is embodying the position simply lies on his/her back and allows the monitor to make the adjustments.
Za'kea adjusts her sister's two position. You can see a lot about your students' personality by whether they prefer to be the monitor or to embody the number.
You can have the students take their time with this. It is a lot of fun to have them embody the multiples, they especially like to embody the fives as you are doing a lot of arm flapping. I will usually model this for them, and as an adult I enjoy being a bit silly. They also love giving the teacher instructions. Just make sure you don't wear a skirt that day.
Exercises with Even Numbers: EMBODYING THE TWOs
After working with the butcher block paper, I will have them do standing work with the embodied positions. When starting to embody the base 10 system while standing, I would begin by allowing students count by ones and perhaps have them go as far as up to 100. It is nice if you have a mirror in the classroom. I don't like to mirror the positions since some students understand the reversal easily, and will become confused. It is OK to have your back to them just to show them what to do, or have a few show what to do in the front, and then turn around,
At this point, I really spend the most time with the even numbers. This is because when we map only the even numbers our bodies can represent each number with one limb, and our head representing the zero.
Counting by twos is a great way to start practicing the base ten in earnest.
Say: “Let’s count by two. Two”
Move your left arm to the 2 position, left hand out, palm stretched open.
Say: “Four”
Move your left leg out, toes may be pointed out or straight.
Say “Six”
Jump and open both legs.
Say “Eight”
Move your right arm to the 8 position, Right hand out with palm stretched open.
Say “Ten”
Jump both your legs together and your hands over your head, much like a jumping jack.
Say “Can we all try it?”
Tell students to get up and this time turn facing away so that they see they are to use the left hand. Again, it is good if you have a mirror in the classroom so you can see what they are doing. Actually, there are a lot of reasons that having a mirror is good. Research shows it helps students who have ADHD to be able to better self-regulate. It may help autistic kids to become more self (and other) aware (check out the Son-rise program). That, however is a story for another time.
Say “two”, put your hand out. The children should imitate.
Say “four”, put your leg out, keep your hand in position 2. Children should imitate…if they are not doing it exactly right, don’t worry. Give it time.
Say “six”, jump open both legs keeping your hand in the two position (my model started to lose energy in her two). It is OK if your students aren’t in perfect positions. They can help each other feel the perfect positions later when they use the butcher block paper again, or in other activities that are more precise.
Say “eight”, throw out the right hand in position 8. The body should be totally extended here.
Students should imitate. You can say things like, “stretch every part of your body out and away from you...even your fingers are stretching out and away from each other. How far can they stretch?”
Say “ten”, clap the hands over the head and bring the feet together.
You can say, “Reach as high as you can to the sky. Ten sure is TALL!”
Continue having them move the pattern,
Say “twelve”, throw the left arm out, hands stretched, Say “fourteen”, move the left leg out. Say “sixteen”, jump both the legs open. Say “eighteen”, throw out the right arm. Remind them to stretch all their body parts away, away, away.
Let them get a good stretch. There are great emotional benefits to this as well as physical, not to mention cognitive. You can work with the breath if you like and include other mindfulness techniques. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Then jump and clap the hand together on 20.
Continue to 100.
Do the one-hundred dance. One Variation
Jumping on the Tens
Once the students know how to move the one’s place with their arms, they may have some trouble with the 10s place. This activity has each of the 10s represented on the North and South walls of the classroom (you could also use East and West, or vice versa).
On the North wall you would place all of the even numbered ten’s place cards, and on the South wall you would place all of the odd numbered ten’s place cards.
Do this before the students walk in. You should do the exercise with them several times and see if they will make the connection.
Every time they go up in the tens place have them jump 180 degrees.