Robots Running Out of Batteries
Children move like robots, and when the teacher calls "Batteries dead!" they freeze in whatever pose they're in, even with a foot or arm in the air. It warms up the body and practices stopping and holding surprise poses.
How to play
- The teacher shows how to walk like a robot, with stiff arms and legs, going "beep, beep" (1 min).
- Robots walk around taking big steps and lifting their knees high (1 min).
- "Batteries dead!": each robot freezes exactly as it is, even with one foot up, until the teacher recharges it with a tap on the shoulder (2 min).
- Robots make up silly moves (turning, crouching, reaching out an arm) so they run out of batteries in trickier poses (1 min).
- Final recharge: the robots power down completely, slowly lowering until they're sitting (1 min).
Rules
- When my batteries die, I don't move a finger.
- I only move when I get recharged.
- If I fall, I get up and freeze again.
- Robots don't bump into each other.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher warns "Three, two, one... batteries dead!" so they have time to get ready.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the call is a surprise and the recharge comes after a few seconds.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, they must have one foot lifted before the batteries die, and they get recharged only after holding for a count of five.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the robot moves its arms and head from a chair or sitting on the floor and freezes the same way.
- Hearing impairment: "Batteries dead!" comes with flicking the lights or dropping both arms suddenly.
- More skilled children: they freeze with their eyes closed while waiting for a recharge.
Learning goals
- Stop movement immediately on a signal.
- Hold unstable poses for a few seconds.
- Warm up the whole body with big movements.
Teacher tip
Recharge the children in the hardest poses first so they don't get frustrated. The usual mistake is flopping to the floor when the power goes out; stress that the robot stays standing just as it is.
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