Little Birds Perched on the Wire

Children are little birds flying around, and on a signal they land on a rope laid on the ground, one foot in front of the other, holding still even when the wind blows. It works on static balance with a narrow base and on sharing space.

How to play

1. We lay the ropes on the ground: they're the power lines where birds perch (2 min).
2. The birds fly around the playground; at "Time to perch!" they stand on a wire with one foot in front of the other and freeze (3 min).
3. The wind blows (the teacher goes "whoosh") and the birds hold on without stepping off (2 min).
4. Sleepy bird: on the wire, we lift one foot and hold while counting to three (2 min).
5. Lots of birds on one wire: we perch close together without pushing and all hold still (2 min).
6. The birds fly to the nest and sit in a circle (2 min).

Rules

• My feet stay on the wire, one in front of the other.
• There's room on the wire for everyone: I don't push.
• If I step off, I perch again.
• I fly carefully so I don't bump into other birds.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the bird perches with its wheels on either side of the rope and holds with wing-arms open.
• Visual impairment: use a thick rope that's easy to feel underfoot, and a buddy says where it is.
• Autistic children: they get their own wire (a colored rope) so they don't have to share if they'd rather not.

Learning goals

• Hold static balance on a narrow base.
• Place the feet along a line.
• Share a small space with classmates.

Equipment for a class of 25

• jump ropes: 6

Teacher tip

If you don't have enough ropes, chalk or tape lines work. When lots of birds share one wire, place the first child at one end so the others line up after them.

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