Only the Rooster Gets Us Going
The chicks sleep curled up in the coop and only run out to the yard when the teacher crows "Cock-a-doodle-doo!"; if they hear another animal, they keep sleeping. It practices picking out one sound among others and holding back the urge to go.
How to play
- Mark the coop with hoops on one side and the yard on the other; the chicks curl up in the coop (2 min).
- The teacher crows "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" and the chicks run out to peck in the yard; at "Bedtime, chicks!" they go back to the coop (2 min).
- Other animals come by: the teacher says "Moo!", "Woof!" or "Baa!" and the chicks stay asleep; only the rooster wakes them (3 min).
- The chicks sleep sitting, kneeling or on their tummies, and the teacher mixes similar sounds ("Cock-a-doodle... meow!") (2 min).
- The day ends: the sun sets, everyone walks slowly back to the coop and tucks in under their wings (1 min).
Rules
- I go only for the rooster.
- If I get up for another animal, I laugh and go back to the coop.
- In the yard I peck without bumping into other chicks.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use just two sounds: rooster to go, cow to stay asleep.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use several animals and different sleeping positions.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, each animal has its own action: "Woof!" means cover up, "Moo!" means roll over, and only the rooster sends them out.
Adaptations
- Hearing impairment: each animal has a picture card the teacher holds up while making the sound.
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair is the mother hen guarding the coop and goes out with the chicks on the rooster.
- Autism: before playing, listen to and repeat all the sounds so the child knows what's coming.
Learning goals
- Pick out one specific sound among similar ones.
- Hold the start until the right signal.
- Get up quickly from lying, sitting or kneeling.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hoops: 10
Teacher tip
Ham up the fake sounds so they laugh: mistakes are part of the game. Turn around or cover your mouth so they can't read your lips and really have to listen.
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