Grape Bunches by Number
Children are loose grapes rolling around the playground and, when the teacher holds up a dot card, they join hands in bunches of that number. It practices making groups of a given size and helping make sure no one is left without a bunch.
How to play
- The teacher explains that we are grapes that fell off the vine and want to get back together in bunches (1 min).
- We jog and spin like rolling grapes; when the drum stops, the teacher shows the 2-dot card and we pair up (2 min).
- We try bunches of 3 and 4; each bunch counts its grapes out loud, gently touching each head (3 min).
- If a bunch has one too many or one too few, we fix it together: the extra grape goes to a bunch that needs one (3 min).
- At the end we make one giant bunch with the whole class and count how many grapes we are (3 min).
Rules
- Grapes roll without bumping.
- Count the grapes in my bunch with a gentle touch on the head.
- No one is left out: an extra grape joins another bunch or the teacher's bunch.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only bunches of 2, and the teacher says the number as well as showing it.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, bunches of 2, 3 and 4 with dot cards.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, bunches up to 6, and the teacher gives the number in claps instead of a card.
Adaptations
- Child using a wheelchair: the bunch forms around them, and they are the bunch's stem.
- Deaf or hard-of-hearing child: the stop is signaled by holding the card up high, not just the drum.
- Autistic child: has a regular partner to start the bunch with and gets a heads-up before each stop.
Learning goals
- Form groups of a given size.
- Count group members one by one.
- Help everyone find a group.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pandero: 1
- tarjetas de puntos: 5
Teacher tip
No one is ever out: an extra child joins the teacher's bunch or another group, and you count it out loud as part of the fun. Start with numbers that divide the class evenly.
PatioLab has "Grape Bunches by Number" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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