I Roll, You Reset: Partner Bowling

In pairs, one child rolls the ball to knock down the pins and the other sets them back up, then they swap roles. It is a first taste of bowling that works on rolling a ball and cooperating, without counting who knocks down more.

How to play

1. The teacher draws three chalk dots on the floor for each lane and shows the pair how to stand a bottle on each dot (2 min).
2. Demonstration of the roll: kneeling or squatting, ball between both hands, push it rolling toward the pins (2 min).
3. The bowler rolls, and the pin setter stands the pins back on the chalk dots and rolls the ball back (4 min).
4. We swap roles: the pin setter is now the bowler (4 min).
5. We take a step back to roll from farther away and finish by putting the bottles in their box (2 min).

Rules

• The pin setter walks into the lane only when the ball has stopped.
• The ball rolls along the floor.
• Knocking down one pin or three is just as good.
• When the teacher says so, we swap roles.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: roll from the wheelchair down a tilted cardboard ramp.
• Visual impairment: put a bell on the middle bottle and have the partner ring it before the roll.
• Less skill: use taller empty bottles and a bigger ball.

Learning goals

• Roll a ball toward a target.
• Cooperate with a partner by taking turns in roles.
• Enjoy the game without keeping score.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Plastic bottles: 36
• Large rubber balls: 12
• Chalk: 1

Teacher tip

If it's windy, put a little sand or water in the bottles and tape the caps shut. The typical mistake is the pin setter running in too early, so repeat "ball stopped, setter goes in".

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