First Day at the Big-Kid School
On an imaginary tour of the elementary school, children put on their backpacks, line up, climb stairs, run at recess and line up again when the bell rings. It warms up the body through play and opens a natural conversation about moving up to kindergarten or first grade.
How to play
- Put on our invisible backpacks, tighten the straps and walk to the door of the new school (1 min).
- Line up: the leader sets the pace and everyone follows without passing (1 min).
- Climb the imaginary stairs with high knees and wave hello to the new teacher (1 min).
- Recess! Run, jump and play freely on the big playground (2 min).
- The bell rings (a loud clap from the teacher) and we walk back to the line, breathing calmly (1 min).
- Sitting down, each child makes a face that shows how they feel: happy, nervous or excited (2 min).
Rules
- No passing in line.
- At recess I run without crashing.
- When the bell rings, back in line.
Variations
Easier
For 4-year-olds, the line holds hands and recess is short.
Standard
For 5-year-olds, the line leader changes every round.
Harder
For 5-year-olds at the end of the year, they suggest more moments of the day (lunch, changing classrooms) and act them out.
Adaptations
- Autism: show real photos of the elementary school beforehand.
- Limited mobility: in a wheelchair, lead the line and raise and lower the arms for the stairs.
- Kids anxious about the change: in the final circle they can skip talking and just point to a drawn face.
Learning goals
- Warm up with varied movement.
- Respect the line and the return signal.
- Express feelings about starting elementary school.
Teacher tip
Works best in the last part of the school year. Don't push anyone to say how they feel: sometimes the nerves show up later in class, so keep an eye out.
PatioLab has "First Day at the Big-Kid School" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.