Gym Evacuation Drill with Assigned Roles

The class plans and rehearses evacuating the gym mid-lesson: each student has a role, such as leader, sweeper, locker room checker or helper for a classmate with limited mobility. Students work on order, staying calm and a critical review of timing and mistakes.

How to play

1. Planning (4 min): on a gym floor plan, the class finds the exits, the meeting point and obstacles; the teacher hands out role cards.
2. Roles: two leaders in pinnies up front, two sweepers at the back, one locker room and storage checker, two helpers for a classmate pretending to use crutches, and one counter at the meeting point.
3. Normal activity (3 min): the class plays a free passing game around the gym so the alarm comes as a surprise.
4. Alarm (3 min): on three long whistle blasts, everything stops, equipment goes on the floor and students walk out in line behind the leaders; the teacher times it.
5. Head count (2 min): at the meeting point, the counter takes roll and reports the exact number to the teacher.
6. Second drill (4 min): the teacher blocks an exit with cones and the class must use the alternate route without losing order.
7. Review (2 min): compare times and write down two improvements to the plan.

Rules

• During an evacuation, walk; never run or push.
• Nobody goes back for personal belongings.
• Sweepers leave last and make sure no one is left behind.
• Stay at the meeting point until the head count is complete.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student takes part with their own mobility aid and the class plans the accessible route and who goes with them.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: pair the alarm with a visual signal, such as flicking the lights.
• Autism: let the student know a drill will happen during class and assign a role with specific tasks.

Learning goals

• Know the gym's exits and meeting point.
• Take on a role during an evacuation calmly and responsibly.
• Review the drill and suggest improvements to the plan.

Equipment for a class of 25

• whistle: 1
• role cards: 9
• pinnies: 4
• stopwatch: 1

Teacher tip

Coordinate with administration and the school's emergency plan to avoid confusion. Use a signal different from the real fire alarm if it can't be activated.

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