Rope Houses That Change Shape
Rope houses shaped like circles, squares and triangles are laid out on the floor; kids dance outside them and, when the music stops, step into the shape the teacher calls. Kids warm up and learn shapes with their whole body.
How to play
- The teacher lays the ropes on the floor in circles, squares and triangles and shows each one (1 min).
- We dance around the houses; when the music stops, we step into any house, and everyone fits (1 min).
- When it stops, we go only into the round houses (1 min).
- When it stops, into the squares; then into the three-cornered ones (1 min).
- The teacher changes the shape of a few houses and we keep dancing and stepping in (1 min).
- Last stop: we sit inside a house and trace its shape in the air with a finger (1 min).
Rules
- Everyone who arrives fits in a house: nobody is left out.
- I dance outside the houses without stepping on the walls.
- I walk in without pushing.
- If my house is full, I find another one the same shape.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only circles and squares and hold up a picture of the shape when the music stops.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use circle, square and triangle.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher also says how many feet or hands go inside ("three feet in the triangle!").
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: make the houses near the child bigger so the wheelchair fits, or just their feet go inside.
- Hearing impairment: show a card with the shape drawn on it when the music stops.
- Autism: give the child a house of their favorite shape they can always go back to.
Learning goals
- Warm up the body with dancing and moving around.
- Recognize circle, square and triangle.
- React quickly to the music stopping.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Jump ropes: 12
- Music
Teacher tip
Make fewer, bigger houses: the point is that everyone gets in, not that someone is left out. If the ropes slide when stepped on, tape the corners down with masking tape.
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