My Name Hopscotch

Each child has a hopscotch on the ground with one box for each letter of their name and goes along it walking, jumping and hopping while saying each letter; then they visit a friend's hopscotch. They practice jumping and recognizing their written name.

How to play

1. Holding their name card, each child finds the hopscotch with their name on it and stands in front (2 min).
2. Walk along it, stepping in each box and saying its letter out loud (2 min).
3. Now jump through with feet together, one letter per jump (3 min).
4. Come back hopping on one foot or switching feet, however each child can (3 min).
5. Swap to a friend's hopscotch, jump it, and say the friend's name together at the end (3 min).
6. Return to your own and take a big final jump out, shouting your name (2 min).

Rules

• I jump inside the boxes and try not to land on the lines.
• On my friend's hopscotch, I wait until they finish.
• Everyone jumps their own way; all ways count.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: go through the hopscotch in a wheelchair or walking with support, touching each letter with a hand or stick.
• Visual impairment: outline boxes with textured tape and have a buddy say each letter.
• Lower skill level: allow stepping between boxes or adding an extra step.

Learning goals

• Recognize the letters of their own name.
• Jump with two feet and hop, adjusting distance.
• Read a classmate's name.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Sidewalk chalk: 10
• Name cards: 25

Teacher tip

Draw the hopscotches before class, side by side, with boxes about 16 inches wide. Short names finish first, so invite them to go back the other way.

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