Human Dominoes Connection Line
Like dominoes, each student is a tile with two halves (two personal facts) and must link up with someone who shares one of them, until the whole class forms a chain stretching across the blacktop. Students learn about each other while the whole class cooperates.
How to play
- Place two cones about 80 ft apart: they are the start and end of the domino line. The goal is for the chain to connect the two cones (1 min).
- Each student thinks of two facts: one for the right hand (something they like) and one for the left (something they can do or have done) (1 min).
- The teacher starts the chain at the first cone, saying their two facts aloud and holding out their left hand.
- Anyone who shares the fact on that hand runs over, takes the hand with their right hand saying "Me too…", and announces their other fact so someone else can link on.
- If nobody matches, the last person in the chain may change their free fact once. Keep going until everyone is linked (8 min).
- When the chain reaches the other cone, send an arm wave from one end to the other and time it (2 min).
- Play a second round with new facts and try to finish faster (3 min).
Rules
- Only one person links on at a time; everyone else waits in the middle.
- Hold hands gently when linking on, without pulling the chain.
- The chain is not complete until every classmate is in it.
Variations
Easier
The teacher gives specific categories for the facts (favorite food and animal) so more students match.
Standard
Use free facts, a full cone-to-cone chain, and the final wave.
Harder
Link on without talking, using only mime to show the fact, with two team chains racing against the clock.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility take a spot in the middle of the chain, and the chain adjusts to where they are.
- For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, each student can show their fact with a gesture as well as saying it.
- For shy students, allow linking on with a partner who shares the same fact.
Learning goals
- Learn about classmates' interests and experiences.
- Work together as a whole class toward a common goal.
- Listen carefully to find matches.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 2
Teacher tip
If the chain gets stuck, remind students of facts already shared to give hints; it works best at a quick pace, with waiting students staying active with small hops.
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