High Five the Whole Class

Children move around the room high-fiving every classmate before the song ends. It builds spatial awareness, gets bodies moving and helps everyone greet the whole group.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher shows a gentle high five, palm to palm, looking at the friend and saying their name (1 min).
2. The music starts and everyone walks around high-fiving whoever they meet (1 min).
3. Whole-class challenge: can we high-five everyone before the song ends? When a child thinks they have reached everyone, they sit down and raise a hand so others can come to them (2 min).
4. Repeat at an easy jog and change the greeting: elbows, feet, backs (1 min).
5. If everyone is sitting when the song ends, we celebrate with a big group cheer; if not, we say “Almost!” and try again another day (1 min).

Rules

• Soft high fives, light as a feather.
• I look at my friend and say their name.
• If someone is alone, I go high-five them.
• When the music stops, we freeze.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child using a wheelchair stays in one spot with a hand up and friends come to them.
• Autism: allow a wave from a distance if touch is uncomfortable.
• Visual impairment: friends say their name before the high five and gently tap the child's arm first.

Learning goals

• Warm up by moving around without bumping.
• Greet and recognize every classmate.
• Experience a small whole-class challenge.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Music

Teacher tip

Pick a song about two minutes long. The usual problem is fast kids high-fiving the same friends; remind them the challenge only works if nobody is left out.

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