Double Circle Mixer Challenges
Two circles, one inside the other, travel in opposite directions using different locomotor skills while the music plays; when it stops, students face whoever is in front of them and complete a short partner challenge. It builds a warm-up, class connections and communication.
How to play
- Split the class in half: an inner circle facing out and an outer circle facing in, standing face to face.
- With the music on, the inner circle moves right and the outer circle moves left. The teacher calls the movement: jog, side gallop, skip or grapevine.
- When the music stops, everyone faces the person in front of them and listens for the challenge.
- 20-second challenges: 5 mirror squats, a high-low-elbow high-five combo, rock-paper-scissors with jumping feet, or a one-leg balance pressing palms together.
- Run 8 rounds in about 5 minutes so every student works with 8 different classmates.
- Final round: partners invent a 4-move handshake and teach it to the pair next to them.
Rules
- Keep the circle shape without cutting through the middle.
- Greet each partner by name before the challenge.
- Safety: in the partner balance, push gently and only with the palms.
- If there's an odd number, make a trio and do the challenge as three.
Variations
Easier
Circles only walk, and the challenges are simple copy-the-move tasks.
Standard
Circles change movement every round, with eight different challenges.
Harder
When the music stops, partners have 3 seconds to find each other; if not, both do 5 jumping jacks before the challenge.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility join the inner circle, which travels less, and do upper-body challenges.
- For shy students or students with autism, post the challenge list on a card so they know what's coming.
- Less-fit students may speed-walk during the harder movements.
Learning goals
- Warm up with a variety of locomotor skills.
- Connect with classmates beyond their usual friends.
- Communicate and agree quickly during partner challenges.
Equipment for a class of 25
- music (speaker): 1
Teacher tip
This works well at the start of the year or to break up cliques. If the circles lose their shape, mark the path with cones.
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