Action Sentences: Read Left to Right

We lay a row of action cards on the ground that "reads" like a sentence, from left to right, and children do each action in that order; then groups build their own movement sentences. They practice sequencing, reading direction and memory.

How to play

1. Place three cards on the ground (jump, spin, crawl) with an arrow pointing right; read them together, pointing left to right (2 min).
2. Do the sentence all together: three jumps, one spin and crawl to the cone (3 min).
3. Change the order of the cards and repeat: is it the same sentence? (2 min).
4. In groups of four, each group picks three cards, lines them up by its cone and practices its sentence (4 min).
5. Each group shows its sentence, and the others read it and do it (3 min).
6. Wrap-up: read the longest sentence of the day out loud, pointing left to right (1 min).

Rules

• We start reading at the tail of the arrow.
• I do the actions in order without skipping any.
• Everyone in the group picks at least one card.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: cards include an arm version, and the child reads the sentence for the group.
• Visual impairment: large raised cards and a buddy who names each action.
• Autism: the sentence stays on the ground the whole time for reference.

Learning goals

• Follow a sequence of actions in reading order.
• Tell left from right in a row of cards.
• Build their own sequence with a group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Action picture cards: 24
• Cones: 8

Teacher tip

Put a green sticker on the left end of every row (where to start); it's the same cue you'll use later on paper. Have them point with a finger before they move.

More main activities for Elementary