Giant Turtle Shell Crawl

Groups of 4 or 5 students crawl on hands and knees under a light mat, which is the shell, and must move together to take the turtle to different places without dropping it. It links crawling with cooperation and communication.

How to play

1. Make 5 groups of 5 and give each one a thin, light mat; mark a simple route with cones.
2. Practice (3 min): everyone on hands and knees, close together, with the mat on their backs; the group moves and stops without dropping it.
3. Turtle walk (4 min): go to a cone, circle it and come back; if the shell falls, put it back and keep going.
4. Obstacle turtle (4 min): zigzag through cones, back up and turn in place.
5. Silent turtle (4 min): same route without talking, using only taps or a signal the group agrees on; switch the leader at the front every 2 minutes.

Rules

• Everyone crawls on hands and knees; nobody stands up under the mat.
• Nobody holds the shell with their hands; carry it on your back.
• Move slowly and stop if anyone says stop.
• Turtles never bump each other: keep two yards apart.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student guides the turtle with directions, or holds a corner of the shell on the lap in a wheelchair while the group crawls alongside.
• Autism or shy students: in the silent round any way the group communicates counts, and the student chooses their spot.
• Fitness level: shorter routes for students whose hands and wrists tire quickly.

Learning goals

• Crawl in coordination with other people.
• Communicate to move the group in one direction.
• Match speed to the slowest teammate.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 5
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

Use thin mats, never thick crash mats. Ask each group what helped them move together.

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