El Patio de Mi Casa Action Circle
A traditional Spanish-language singing circle game, similar to Ring Around the Rosie, where students circle holding hands and do the actions in the song, such as squatting, standing and spinning. They work on rhythm, matching movement to lyrics and creativity.
How to play
- Form 2 circles of 12–13 students holding hands. Sing the song once yourself and teach the actions: circle around, squat on "agáchate" (bend down) and stand on "vuélvete a agachar" (bend down again) (3 min).
- Sing the full song circling to the right, then repeat circling to the left.
- On "chocolate, molinillo" (hot chocolate whisk), the circle stops and everyone spins once; on "estirar, estirar" (stretch, stretch), everyone widens the circle by stepping back.
- Change the way of moving each time: tiptoes, little jumps, sideways or very slowly backward.
- Create (5 min): in groups of 4, invent a new action to replace "agáchate" (jump, clap, sit) and teach it to the circle.
- Finale: the circle sings the song using each group's invented action, one after another.
Rules
- Keep holding hands while the circle moves.
- Everyone does the action together, in time with the words.
- Respect the actions other groups suggest.
- Safety: circle slowly and don't pull on anyone's arms.
Variations
Easier
Sing standing still, doing only the actions without circling.
Standard
Circle with the song's actions and a different way of moving each time.
Harder
Two circles, one inside the other, move in opposite directions and switch actions every verse.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student joins the circle in a wheelchair and actions are adapted to the arms (reach up, reach down, twist).
- Hearing impairment: the teacher models exaggerated actions in the middle of the circle as a visual cue.
- Shyness: the student can whisper their action idea to the teacher, who shares it with the group.
Learning goals
- Match movements to the words and rhythm of a song.
- Invent new actions and teach them to others.
- Learn and enjoy a traditional singing game from the Spanish-speaking world.
Teacher tip
It's a great way to welcome Spanish-speaking families: ask them what other circle songs they know. If the circle breaks while moving, slow the song down.
PatioLab has "El Patio de Mi Casa Action Circle" and 1299 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Elementary
3v3 Mini-Volleyball with Set Passes
Small-sided 3v3 mini-volleyball on small courts, with a bonus for building the play with a set.
4v3 Soccer Counterattack Game
Four attackers try to score on a goal guarded by three defenders, who counterattack toward two small cone goals if they win the ball.
Accuracy Circuit with Cloth Targets
Accuracy stations with cloth targets on the floor and on the wall, where students toss bean bags and score points by ring.
Adapted Beach Handball
An adapted beach handball game with a soft ball: no dribbling, three steps with the ball, and double points for spectacular goals such as jump or spin shots.
Adapted Gaelic Football
A school version of Irish Gaelic football that blends hands and feet: players may run with the ball, hand-pass it with a fist, and kick for goal.
Adapted Speedball
Speedball is an American invasion game that blends soccer and team handball: a ball on the ground is played with the feet, and a ball lifted by the foot into the hands…