Goal of Listening Ears: The Rolling Bell Ball

Sitting in two facing lines, children roll a bell ball to each other and stop it by listening for where it's coming from, in a game inspired by goalball. It builds auditory perception and reaction, and blind children play on equal terms.

How to play

1. Sit in two lines facing each other about 15 feet apart; each line guards its own masking tape line on the floor (2 min).
2. Owl silence: the teacher rolls the ball and everyone points to where it's coming from (2 min).
3. Take turns rolling the ball toward the other line; the children there stop it by stretching out arms and legs (4 min).
4. Anyone who wants puts on a sleep mask and plays by ear only while everyone else stays quiet (3 min).
5. Change the way we roll: two hands, one hand or pushing from a kneeling position (2 min).
6. Silent applause with hands held high for every save (1 min).

Rules

• The ball always rolls on the floor, never through the air.
• When the ball is rolling, we're all quiet.
• I stop it by stretching my body, without diving on anyone.
• The mask is only if I want it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Blind or low vision: this is their game; the child can be the first to show others how to listen for the ball, and the tape line has a string under it to feel.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: no mask; the ball has bright streamers attached and the teacher raises an arm when someone is about to roll.
• Limited mobility: plays from the wheelchair at the end of the line with a pool noodle to stop the ball.

Learning goals

• Locate a moving object by sound.
• React with the body to stop a ball.
• Respect the quiet the group needs to play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bell balls: 2
• sleep masks: 12
• masking tape: 1

Teacher tip

Play indoors in a quiet space: outside, with noise, nobody can hear anything. Before starting, tell them that blind athletes play a sport like this and today we're learning from them.

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