Roll and Listen Bell Ball
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, students roll a ball with bells inside across the floor to each other and must stop it using only their hearing. It requires total silence, builds auditory perception and gives the group a taste of what classmates with visual impairments experience.
How to play
- Make 3 circles of 8-9 students sitting with legs open in a V, feet touching their neighbors' feet to close the circle (1 min).
- Hand blindfolds to half of each circle, alternating one blindfolded student with one helper; helpers may not touch the ball.
- The student with the ball says the name of a blindfolded classmate and rolls it slowly toward them; the receiver listens and stops it with their hands (3 min).
- If the ball escapes the circle, the nearest helper quietly retrieves it and returns it to the last student who had it.
- Switch blindfolds to the other half and repeat; in the last round, everyone plays with eyes closed (3 min).
- Finish: leave the ball still in the middle and listen to the silence for 30 seconds before removing blindfolds (1 min).
Rules
- Always roll the ball along the floor; never throw it.
- Total silence while the ball is moving.
- Say the receiver's name before rolling.
- Helpers don't give voice hints.
Variations
Easier
Play the first round with eyes open in a smaller circle.
Standard
Alternate blindfolded players and helpers, then finish with everyone blindfolded.
Harder
The roller just says "Rolling!" instead of a name, so everyone must stay alert in case it comes their way.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student joins from a wheelchair with a low bench in front so the ball doesn't roll underneath.
- Visual impairment: the student can be the expert who explains to the group how they use sound to get oriented.
- Fear of being blindfolded or autism: allow playing with eyes closed and no blindfold, opening them whenever needed.
Learning goals
- Locate and track a moving object using only hearing.
- Maintain silence and concentration as a group.
- Appreciate the abilities of people with visual impairments.
Equipment for a class of 25
- ball with bells: 3
- blindfolds: 13
Teacher tip
If you don't have a bell ball, tie a jingle bell inside a plastic bag wrapped around a foam ball. Briefly explain the sport of goalball so the game makes sense.
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