«Pito, Pito, Gorgorito»: Hop Every Syllable

The traditional Spanish counting-out rhyme «Pito, pito, gorgorito» (like «eeny, meeny, miny, moe») becomes a hopping path: one jump per syllable along a chalk trail and, on the final «fuera!» («out!»), a big jump off the path. It works on matching jumps to the rhythm of words.

How to play

1. Draw several trails of chalk circles in a row on the ground, like a snail or a snake (2 min).
2. Say the rhyme together, clapping once per syllable (2 min).
3. Go along the trail with one feet-together jump per syllable (3 min).
4. On «pim, pam, pum» three stronger jumps, and on «fuera!» a big jump off the trail (3 min).
5. Change the jump: on one foot, like a frog or sideways (2 min).
6. Use the rhyme for real to pick who says it next class (1 min).

Rules

• One jump for each piece of a word.
• Wait until the kid ahead is two circles away.
• On «fuera,» jump to the open side.
• Land with soft knees.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: go along the trail touching each circle with a hand or wheel on every syllable.
• Visual impairment: a straight trail with big circles and a buddy saying the rhyme alongside.
• Less coordination: one step per syllable instead of a jump.

Learning goals

• Match jumps to the rhythm of a chant.
• Break words into syllables with the body.
• Learn traditional counting-out rhymes.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Sidewalk chalk: 6

Teacher tip

Draw trails of about twelve circles so the rhyme ends near the end. The most common version is «pito, pito, gorgorito, ¿dónde vas tú tan bonito?», but use whatever version is local.

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