Full Hoops, Empty Hoops
The whole group works together to fill a hoop with beanbags and balls, then empties it to fill another hoop far away, and sorts out a few or a lot of objects on cue. Kids practice full and empty, a lot and a little, near and far, and teamwork without competition.
How to play
- Before class, place four colored hoops in different spots in the gym, one near and the others far, and scatter beanbags and balls on the floor.
- Say: “Let's fill the blue hoop together!” Each child picks up one object, walks it over and puts it inside. Then goes back for another. At the end: “Is it full or empty?” (3 min).
- “Now let's empty the blue hoop and fill the red one, which is far away.” They carry objects one at a time. Compare the two hoops (3 min).
- Change how they carry: beanbag on the head, ball with both hands, crawling and pushing the ball (3 min).
- Amount call: “A few in the yellow hoop, a lot in the green one.” Then: “Just one object in each hoop” (3 min).
- To finish, empty all the hoops and carry the objects to the cleanup bin or basket (3 min).
Rules
- Carry only one object at a time.
- Put objects down, don't throw them.
- Walk, and don't bump into kids coming the other way.
- Don't take objects out of a hoop someone else is filling.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only fill and empty a hoop that's close by.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, fill a far hoop and empty the near one.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add a lot and a little, and carry objects in different ways.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: carry the object on the lap in a wheelchair, or be the hoop keeper who receives and arranges the objects.
- Visual: very bright hoops and objects with sound or texture; say out loud where each hoop is.
- Skill level: skilled kids balance objects on their head; kids who need help carry big objects with both hands.
Learning goals
- Understand full and empty, a lot and a little, near and far.
- Carry objects through space in different ways.
- Work with the whole group toward a shared goal.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 4
- beanbags: 20
- soft balls: 20
Teacher tip
Ask comparison questions while looking at the hoop together: “Which one has more?” Cleaning up at the end is part of the game, not a chore.
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