How Many Penguin Steps Long?

Children measure things on the playground with different steps (penguin, regular and giant) and discover the same thing measures more or fewer steps depending on how we walk. It builds measuring with the body, counting and comparing.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher shows three steps: penguin (heel touching toe), regular and giant (1 min).
2. Together we measure the playground bench in penguin steps, counting out loud, and the teacher writes the number in chalk on the ground (3 min).
3. We measure the same bench in giant steps and compare: "Which steps give us more?" (3 min).
4. In small groups, each with a starting cone, we measure other things: door to water fountain, the side of the sandbox, the gym wall (4 min).
5. Each group tells the others what they measured and how many steps it was (2 min).
6. We head back to the circle in penguin steps, counting how many it takes (2 min).

Rules

• In a penguin step, heel touches toe.
• Count out loud, one number for each step.
• Take turns measuring; the others count along.

Variations

Adaptations

• Child using a wheelchair: measures in wheel turns or hand spans along the bench.
• Blind or low-vision child: measures along a wall or a rope on the ground as a guide, with a buddy counting.
• Children needing more support: hold a buddy's hand during penguin steps to keep their balance.

Learning goals

• Measure lengths in steps.
• Count and compare: more steps, fewer steps.
• Control step size and balance.

Equipment for a class of 25

• conos: 6
• tizas: 3

Teacher tip

Pick things under 15 penguin steps long, or they lose count. If a child skips numbers, a buddy counts beside them with a tap on the shoulder at each step.

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