Desert Caravan Movement Story
Students cross the desert in camel caravans: long camel walks, climbing dunes, burning sand and oases to shelter in. It mixes varied locomotor movements, pace changes and a signal to find a free hoop, with no one eliminated.
How to play
- Spread 8 hoops around the court: these are the oases. Groups of 3 in a line form small camel caravans (30 sec).
- Camels walk: long, slow steps with a sway, hands on the shoulders of the person in front (1 min).
- Dunes: on "Climb!", move with big strides and high knees; on "Slide down!", jog easy with short steps (1 min 30 sec).
- Burning sand: let go of the caravan and run on tiptoes with super-quick steps for 10 seconds; repeat 3 times (1 min).
- Sandstorm: on "Sandstorm!", each caravan finds an oasis and puts at least one foot inside; two caravans can share a hoop. Repeat 4 times, removing a hoop each time (2 min).
- Final oasis: everyone drinks imaginary water, splashes their face and stretches tall like a palm tree (1 min).
Rules
- In the caravan, the leader sets the pace and nobody pushes.
- Oases are shared: nobody kicks another caravan out.
- Slow down before the hoops: arrive walking.
- On burning sand, stay on tiptoes and avoid bumping.
Variations
Easier
Play in pairs and don't remove any hoops.
Standard
Caravans of three, with fewer hoops after every sandstorm.
Harder
At the oasis, the whole caravan must fit completely inside the hoop.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: travels with the caravan at their own pace and has a reserved oasis nearby.
- Visual impairment: rides in the middle of the caravan holding shoulders while a partner calls out the dunes.
- Fitness level: on the dunes, students who want more challenge take deeper strides.
Learning goals
- Vary the pace and size of locomotor movements.
- Cooperate in a small group to move together.
- React to a signal by finding a shared space.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 8
Teacher tip
As hoops disappear, remind students the challenge is to fit together, not to leave anyone out. Keep hoops away from walls and benches.
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