Classroom Circuit: Under, Around and Between

Using the classroom furniture we build a circuit: crawl under two tables, circle three chairs and slide sideways between two chairs set close together, with the children helping decide the order. It works on different locomotor moves and the concepts under, around and between.

How to play

1. Show the three stations: table tunnel, chairs to circle and the narrow door between two chairs; mark the route with tape arrows (2 min).
2. The teacher does the whole circuit slowly, saying out loud “under, around, between” (1 min).
3. Children go through one after another, leaving one piece of furniture between them and the child ahead (4 min).
4. Change the order: the children decide which station comes first and we go again (3 min).
5. Animal circuit: under the tables like cats, around the chairs like penguins and between the chairs like crabs (3 min).
6. Pick up the arrows and put the furniture back together (2 min).

Rules

• Under the table, on hands and knees; around the chair, without touching it.
• I wait for the child ahead to leave the station.
• I don't climb on any furniture.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: instead of the tunnel, goes alongside the tables touching each one, and the narrow door is widened to fit their wheelchair.
• Visual impairment: a buddy guides them by the hand and names each station before they reach it.
• Autism: a strip of station pictures in order that they can check as they go.

Learning goals

• Combine crawling, walking and sideways moves.
• Use the concepts under, around and between.
• Take part in designing a route.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chairs: 25
• Tables: 6
• Masking tape: 1

Teacher tip

Build it with what's already in the room, nothing extra: the fun is that afterward they recognize the circuit in their own classroom. The chairs forming the narrow door must be very steady, with their backs facing out.

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