Guess the Shape the Ribbon Draws
The teacher draws a big shape in the air with a long ribbon; children follow it with their eyes, guess it, and then trace it with their bodies across the playground. They practice tracking paths visually and representing shapes in space.
How to play
- Sitting down, the teacher moves the ribbon slowly and we follow it with our eyes and a finger, as if painting with it (2 min).
- The teacher draws a huge circle in the air; children say what shape it is and draw it in the air with their arm (2 min).
- Now we run it across the playground: in a line behind the teacher, we make a giant circle, then a straight line, then a zigzag (3 min).
- The teacher draws other shapes in the air (square, triangle, wave) and children, in pairs, trace them across the playground their own way (3 min).
- We draw our favorite shape on the ground with chalk and walk slowly along it (2 min).
Rules
- Watch the ribbon until the shape is finished.
- Wait until the teacher is done before guessing.
- Run in a line without pushing.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only circle, straight line and zigzag, drawn very slowly.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add the square and the wave.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add the triangle and figure eight, and a child can take the ribbon and lead.
Adaptations
- Child who uses a wheelchair: traces the shapes in the chair or draws them in the air with their own ribbon.
- Child with low vision: the teacher guides their hand holding the ribbon so they can feel the shape.
- Autistic child: has a card with the shapes drawn on it to point to the one they think it is.
Learning goals
- Track a path in the air with the eyes.
- Recognize shapes drawn in motion.
- Recreate shapes by moving through space.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cinta de gimnasia rítmica: 1
- tizas: 10
Teacher tip
Stand with your back or side to the group when drawing so the shape doesn't come out mirrored. Make the shapes huge, as big as your body.
PatioLab has "Guess the Shape the Ribbon Draws" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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