Marbles: Sink It in the Pot

Marbles is a traditional game known everywhere; in the pot game, called guá, you sink your marble in a hole and then try to hit your rivals' marbles. On a paved playground the hole becomes a chalk circle, and students build fine motor skills, accuracy and force control.

How to play

1. Explain (2 min) that it used to be played in the dirt around a small hole called the guá, and that each region has its own word for marbles.
2. Groups of 4: each group chalks a pot (a 4-inch circle) and a starting line 3 m (10 ft) away; each player has 3 marbles.
3. Teach the thumb flick (3 min): marble resting on the curled index finger, flicked with the thumb, knuckles on the ground.
4. From the line, each player shoots toward the pot; whoever lands in it or closest goes first.
5. Taking turns, players shoot from wherever their marble stopped. After sinking it in the pot, a player may try to hit a rival's marble: a hit earns 1 point and a shot back at the pot.
6. Play to 5 points, then change groups and start a new game (12 min total).

Rules

• No playing for keeps: everyone gets their own marbles back at the end.
• The shooting hand rests on the ground where the marble stopped.
• Never toss marbles in the air or put them in your mouth.
• Wait your turn out of the shooting path.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays on a low table with a pot drawn on paper and a raised edge to stop the marbles.
• Visual impairment: use large, brightly colored marbles and ring the pot with a raised loop of rope.
• Skill level: students who can't flick yet push the marble with the index finger.

Learning goals

• Improve fine motor control of the fingers and of force.
• Judge paths and distances in precision shots.
• Enjoy a traditional game while respecting turns and rules.

Equipment for a class of 25

• marbles: 75
• chalk: 6

Teacher tip

Choose a smooth part of the playground and make it clear nobody plays for keeps, to avoid conflicts. With 6-year-olds, use large marbles, which are easier to grip and too big to swallow.

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