Big Boxes Together, Small Ones Alone

Big, medium and small cardboard boxes are spread around; children carry them to their "truck," deciding how many people are needed: four for a big box, two for a medium one, and one for a small one. It builds comparing sizes and linking them to numbers while working together.

How to play

1. Sitting down, we look at three boxes and put them in order: big, medium and small; the teacher asks how many hands each one needs (2 min).
2. The teacher marks the truck (an area outlined with rope or chalk) and explains: big, four of us; medium, two of us; small, just me (1 min).
3. We carry all the boxes to the truck, finding the friends we need for each one (4 min).
4. Inside the truck, we stack the boxes: big ones on the bottom, medium on top, small ones at the very top (3 min).
5. The truck "drives" and we unload: each box goes back with its number of helpers, counting out loud (3 min).
6. We compare with our bodies: we make ourselves big, medium and small like the boxes (2 min).

Rules

• Big boxes aren't dragged: four of us carry them.
• Before lifting we count: "One, two and… up!"
• If a box needs help, I go help.

Variations

Adaptations

• Child using a wheelchair: carries small boxes on their lap or is the driver who says where each box goes.
• Blind or low-vision child: carries boxes with several friends who tell them which way to go.
• Autistic child: can be in charge of small boxes alone if teaming up is hard.

Learning goals

• Compare and sort objects by size.
• Link size to the number of helpers.
• Cooperate to carry objects.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cajas de cartón: 18

Teacher tip

Keep the big boxes empty or very light so the challenge is teamwork, not strength. Have plenty of small boxes so no one is left waiting.

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