Nobody Stays on the Shore

Two ropes mark the banks of a river that children cross with more and more friends holding hands: alone, in pairs, in threes and finally the whole class at once. It warms up with different ways of moving and shows that together we can get anywhere.

How to play

1. Everyone crosses the river alone with little hops and walks back over the pretend bridge (1 min).
2. We cross in pairs, holding hands and jogging gently (1 min).
3. We cross in threes, holding hands and on tiptoe (1 min).
4. We cross in groups of five, walking sideways like crabs without letting go (1 min).
5. The whole class makes one chain and crosses together; before we go we check that nobody is left on the shore (1 min).

Rules

• I cross the way the teacher says.
• If I don't have a partner, I raise my hand and someone finds me.
• We wait until everyone is ready before crossing.
• We don't let go in the middle of the river.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the river gets narrower on their side and their group crosses at their pace.
• Autism: keep the same partner for the first rounds and show the next group size on your fingers.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher shows the number of friends with fingers and the way to cross with a gesture.

Learning goals

• Move in different ways.
• Form groups without leaving anyone out.
• Get the body ready for the main activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Ropes: 2

Teacher tip

Set the ropes about six meters apart, no more, so the big groups don't break up. Groups tend to form the same way every time, so count out loud “Is anyone missing?” before each crossing.

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