Following the Bear's Tracks

Children follow a bear's trail by stepping on footprints taped to the floor, which are sometimes close together, sometimes far apart, sideways or pointing backward. It works on adjusting step length and direction to markers.

How to play

1. The teacher tapes footprints to the floor to make a trail: a stretch of small steps, one of big steps, one sideways and one backward (1 min).
2. We tell the story of a bear that walked by and we'll follow it; we show how to step right on a footprint (2 min).
3. We walk the trail one behind the other, stepping only on the footprints (4 min).
4. On the sideways and backward stretches, we turn our foot to match the print so we know which way to go (3 min).
5. At the end of the trail we find the bear's cave and lie down to sleep with it (2 min).
6. Together we move some footprints around to make a new trail (2 min).

Rules

• Step only on the footprints.
• Your foot points the same way as the footprint.
• Wait until the child ahead has moved two prints.
• If a print is too far, reach it with a soft little hop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they follow the trail alongside, rolling next to the prints or touching them with a hand.
• Visual impairment: make the footprints textured (sandpaper or felt) and have a classmate describe the next step.
• Less coordination: they can hold the teacher's hand on the long-step stretches.

Learning goals

• Adjust step length to markers.
• Move forward, sideways and backward.
• Suggest a new route with the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• laminated paper footprints: 40
• tape: 1

Teacher tip

Laminate the footprints and tape them down well so they don't slip. Make left and right prints different colors if you want to work on left and right.

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