My Magic Pole Turns Into…

Each child has a pole that, with a magic word, turns into a horse, an oar, a broom, a guitar or a bridge. Children practice handling a long object, using their imagination and expressing ideas through movement.

How to play

1. Everyone takes a pole and sits in a circle; the teacher shows how to carry it upright or low along the ground, never at face height (2 min).
2. Magic words: “Abracadabra, one, two, three, my pole is now… a horse for me!”; we ride the pole and trot, holding it in front (2 min).
3. New transformation into an oar: sitting on the floor, we paddle on one side and the other (2 min).
4. Now it's a broom: sweep the floor walking forward and backward; then it's a guitar and we dance while strumming (3 min).
5. The pole is a bridge: lay it on the floor and cross it hopping, sideways, backward (3 min).
6. Last transformation: the pole is a bed, we lie down beside it and rest (2 min).

Rules

• Keep the pole low, away from friends' faces.
• When the drum sounds, the pole goes still on the floor.
• Play with your own pole without bumping anyone else's.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: choose transformations that work seated (oar, guitar, magic wand, spyglass).
• Autism: preview the transformations with picture cards in order and always use the same magic words.
• Less dexterity: use short poles or foam tubes, which are lighter and safer.

Learning goals

• Handle a long object with control and safety.
• Imagine different uses for the same object.
• Express characters and actions with the body.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Plastic poles: 25
• Hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

Make it crystal clear before starting where the pole goes when not in use: on the floor, still. With a lively group, start with the seated oar and guitar before turning it into a horse.

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