Family Games Fair: Students Teach Games from Home
Each group teaches the class a game their families played as kids, in their hometown or home country, and everyone rotates through the booths of the fair. Students practice a variety of motor skills and value cultural diversity as something that brings us together.
How to play
- Beforehand, each group of 4 collects childhood games from their families and picks a simple one; the teacher checks that it is safe.
- Setup (4 min): each of the six groups sets up its booth in an area of the playground with cones, chalk, and any equipment it needs, and writes the game's name and origin on the ground.
- First round (12 min): two students per group teach their game and two visit other booths, moving on the whistle every 4 minutes.
- Second round (10 min): switch roles.
- To teach, use three steps: explain in one minute, demonstrate, and start playing right away with the visitors.
- Wrap-up (4 min): Which games are alike even though they come from different places? Which one would you like to play at recess?
Rules
- Games must have no long elimination and no rough contact.
- Respect the person explaining and listen without interrupting.
- No one laughs at a game's name, language, or origin.
Variations
Easier
Each group teaches a game from a list the teacher provides, and students visit only three booths.
Standard
Six family game booths with two rounds of teaching and visiting.
Harder
Each group also prepares a harder version and a rules card in two languages.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can be the one who explains the game at the booth or choose a family game played seated.
- A newly arrived student who is still learning English can teach by demonstration with a few words in their home language.
- For more skilled students, have them adapt their game to demand more speed or accuracy.
Learning goals
- Play traditional games from different cultures.
- Explain and lead a game for a group of classmates.
- Value the cultural diversity of the class.
Equipment for a class of 25
- assorted equipment
- chalk: 12
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
Ask families for ideas with a simple note sent a week ahead. This is a great chance for newly arrived students to shine, but never require anyone to talk about their background.
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