Escorting the Rolling Hoop

The teacher rolls a hoop across the playground and a group of children runs alongside without touching it, watching it the whole time until it falls; then they sit inside it. They practice tracking a moving object and matching their running speed to it.

How to play

1. The teacher shows how a hoop rolls and we all watch it from the line until it falls over (1 min).
2. Groups of four or five: the teacher rolls the hoop and the group runs beside it like bodyguards, without touching it, until it falls (4 min).
3. When the hoop falls, the escorts sit inside or around it and the next group goes with another hoop (3 min).
4. The hoop rolls slower or faster, and the escorts adjust: walk, jog or run (3 min).
5. Last hoop for everyone: we follow it walking and, when it falls, lie down around it like the rays of the sun (1 min).

Rules

• Escorts don't touch the hoop.
• Run beside the hoop, not in front of it.
• When the hoop falls, we stop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Child who uses a wheelchair: escorts a gently rolled hoop in their chair, or is the one who rolls it.
• Child with low vision: tie brightly colored ribbons to the hoop and the teacher calls out where it's going.
• Child with less stamina: plays every other round and tracks the hoop with their eyes during the rest.

Learning goals

• Track a rolling object with the eyes.
• Match their own speed to the object's.
• Run in a group without bumping.

Equipment for a class of 25

• aros: 6

Teacher tip

Practice rolling a hoop straight before class. With big groups, children cut in front of the hoop: limit it to five escorts.

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