Parachute Hole in One

The class tilts and ripples the parachute together to steer several light balls into the hole in the center. Students practice group coordination, force control, and talking with each other to agree on which way to move the canopy.

How to play

1. Students hold the edge of the parachute, spread out evenly. Practice small waves, big waves, and tilting it one way and then the other (2 min).
2. The teacher tosses a ball onto the canopy, and the class rolls it in a circle around the edge without letting it fall off (2 min).
3. Challenge: get the ball into the center hole. Each student only raises or lowers their own section, so they must talk and decide who goes up and who goes down (4 min).
4. Add balls 3 at a time, up to 10. Time how long the class takes to sink them all (4 min).
5. Improvement round: the class agrees on a strategy (for example, one student calls the moves) and tries to beat its time (3 min).

Rules

• Balls only move with the parachute, never with hands.
• If a ball falls off, the closest student puts it back on the canopy.
• No yanking, so classmates don't lose their balance.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: hold the parachute while seated or in a wheelchair, next to classmates of similar height.
• Visual impairment: use a ball with a bell, and classmates call out where it is.
• Fitness level: students with less strength hold on next to a partner.

Learning goals

• Match your force to the group's to control a moving object.
• Share ideas and listen to others to solve a challenge.
• Beat a group time with an agreed strategy.

Equipment for a class of 25

• play parachute: 1
• light balls: 10

Teacher tip

At first everyone lifts at once and the ball pops off; stop and ask which side needs to go up. Small foam balls work much better than hard plastic ones.

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