Countdown: Rocket, Moon and Star

Children do three space poses: rocket (arms up, palms together, on tiptoes), half moon (side bend) and star (arms and legs wide). With a countdown, they blast off, travel and stretch in every direction.

How to play

1. Sitting down, the teacher says today we're astronauts and shows the three poses: rocket, moon and star (2 min).
2. Countdown together «5, 4, 3, 2, 1… blast off!»: from a squat, rise slowly into a tiptoe rocket (2 min).
3. The rocket reaches the moon: palms together overhead, bend to one side like a half moon, then the other (2 min).
4. Step out to see the stars: open arms and legs and twinkle the fingers; switch quickly between rocket, moon and star on the teacher's call (2 min).
5. Back to Earth: the rocket comes down slowly into a squat and then sits (2 min).

Rules

• The rocket blasts off when the countdown reaches one.
• On the moon I bend sideways without twisting.
• Each star shines in its own spot, not touching other stars.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: make all three poses with the arms from the chair.
• Hearing impairment: count down with fingers held high and show a picture for each pose.
• Less balance: do rocket with feet flat instead of on tiptoes.

Learning goals

• Stretch the body up and to the sides.
• Move from one pose to another with control.
• Respond to a start signal.

Teacher tip

Kids love the countdown and it helps them wait: don't let them launch before «blast off». For half moon, tell them their body is toast between two windows: it bends without twisting.

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