Evens and Odds
Children walk around chanting the traditional rhyme "A pares y nones" and, at the signal, get together in pairs or groups of three. It warms up the body and practices quick reactions and welcoming whoever is left on their own.
How to play
- The teacher teaches the rhyme while walking: "A pares y nones vamos a jugar…" ("Evens and odds, let's play; whoever's alone… won't be for long, we'll invite them in!") (1 min).
- Everyone walks around chanting; at "Pairs!" each child holds hands with a friend and they crouch down together (1 min).
- If someone is left alone, they raise a hand and a pair invites them to make a group of three. Keep walking in new ways: tiptoes, fast, like robots (2 min).
- Add "Odds!": get together in threes and make a shape with your bodies, like a tree or a little house (1 min).
- One last slow round, and we finish in one big circle: "All together!" (1 min).
Rules
- We join whoever is closest, without running to find a certain friend.
- If you're alone, raise your hand and we'll always invite you in.
- We walk without pushing to make groups.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only call "Pairs!"; partners hold hands and sit down, and the teacher helps match children who are alone.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, alternate pairs and threes, and each group makes a simple shape.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher calls numbers (2, 3 or 4) and groups count their members out loud before crouching.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair stays in one spot and classmates come to make a group with them.
- Autism: allow a set partner they always pair with, joining a group of three when "Odds!" is called.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher holds up cards showing two or three fingers for the group size.
Learning goals
- React to a signal by forming groups.
- Welcome classmates who are left without a partner.
- Learn a traditional game rhyme.
Teacher tip
The original rhyme ends with "whoever's left alone loses"; we change it so nobody is out and the child left over becomes "the guest." With little ones, just say "groups of three" instead of explaining odd numbers.
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