Rolling Pins in Pairs

In pairs, holding hands while lying down, children roll at the same time like a baker's rolling pin flattening dough. They time their roll with their partner's.

How to play

1. We review rolling alone like a log on the mat (2 min).
2. In pairs, lying in a line head to head, we hold hands above our heads (2 min).
3. We count "one, two, and... roll!" and turn together without letting go (3 min).
4. The teacher is the dough: we roll from one side of the mat to the other and back (3 min).
5. Partners let go, lie still, and say something kind to each other (2 min).

Rules

• We roll together, counting together.
• If we let go, we stop and hold hands again.
• We wait until our partner is ready.
• I tell my partner if I'm going too fast.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child is the baker who gives the signal and kneads gently on the rolling pins' backs.
• Blind or low vision: the count comes with a hand squeeze from their partner before rolling.
• Autism: the child may roll alongside without holding hands, each holding one end of a shared ribbon.

Learning goals

• Roll in sync with a partner.
• Communicate to coordinate.
• Look after a partner during play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 6

Teacher tip

Pair kids of similar size. The hard part is starting together: practice just the "one, two, and..." without rolling first.

More main activities for Elementary