Darla Hanley's Music Room
Creative Teaching for Students of Today (& Tomorrow) PK-8
Today’s Teaching Strategy:
A-Rooty Toot Toot
(Movement Imitation Game)
Lower Elementary (K-2)
This teaching strategy is a movement game that goes with 2 tracks: “King of the Road” by Gary “Bud” Smith and by Terry Brent. I picked these instrumental tracks so students can focus on verbal cues during the game (without lyrics in the music) and experience two interpretations of the same song.
The track is available on multiple streaming audio platforms. (Like many of my teaching strategies, you should feel free to find other audio tracks to anchor the learning experience using music that works in your setting or new tracks to simply “mix it up.”)
Hi! I’m Darla, an experienced PK-12 music educator, college professor, and former Berklee College of Music Dean looking to connect with teachers, parents/caregivers, and others seeking to advance creative music making for today’s students—and their teachers. In Darla Hanley’s Music Room you will find teaching strategies, advice and teaching tips, playlists, and more.
A-Rooty Toot Toot
Today we are going to play a movement game! You will say what I say and move the way I do. You will copy me. What does it mean to copy? (Do the same thing)
Ask students to stand where they can all see you—and have space to move.
Let’s give it a try! Do what I do after me: Tap Your Toe (Tap Your Toe), Nod Your Head (Nod Your Head), Hands on Hips, (Hands on Hips), Boogie Down, (Boogie Down).
ProTIP: Practicing these movements before adding the “A-Rooty Toot Toot” chant and the recording will prepare students for the game.
ProTIP: There is no “correct” way to boogie down. Have fun with this one!
Listen for the Tap Your Toe, Nod Your Head, Hands on Hips, and Boogie Down part and copy me when you hear it.
Play the recording of “King of the Road” by Gary “Bud” Smith, speak the chant, and invite students to play the game.
ProTIP: Begin the chant at 0.9 after a brief introduction.
ProTIP: Use an excerpt of the track to perform the chant and movements two times in a row (until 1.12; ending when the key changes) or continue with more of the track if that works best in your setting.
A-Rooty Toot Toot
© 2025 Darla S. Hanley
Boots, Boots, Cowboy Boots
A-Rooty Toot, Rooty Toot, Toot Toot Toot
Be my echo to say and do
It’s lots of fun for me and you
Teacher: Tap Your Toe
Student Echo: Tap Your Toe
Teacher: Nod Your Head
Student Echo: Nod Your Head
Teacher: Hands on Hips
Student Echo: Hands on Hips
Teacher: Boogie Down
Student Echo: Boogie Down
EXTEND the Learning:
Perform the movement game with “King of the Road” by Terry Brent.
Which music did you like best for the game, the first one by Gary “Bud” Smith (on guitar) or the second one by Terry Brent (on violin)? Why?
ProTIP: Having students express preferences in music is an essential learning experience. It’s not important for them to know and recognize guitar and violin here or know the artist’s names—unless you choose to teach these.
Select individual students to create a way to “Boogie Down” for everyone to copy. Have them come to the front and lead the group, and repeat with new students as time permits.
🎵 Gary “Bud” Smith “King of the Road” Link to Track on Spotify
🎵 Terry Brent “King of the Road” Link to Track on Spotify
Learning Targets
Listen, Move, (Lead*)
Learning Outcomes
Respond to show tempo and beat using movements
Create original ways to move to music*
Perform movements in turn following verbal cue
*Students (only) lead and create as part of the EXTEND the Learning within this teaching strategy.
Assessment
Informal Observation/Formative Assessment
Thanks for checking this out. If you use this teaching strategy, be sure to leave a comment to let me know how it resonates with your students!