Saint Michael's Wheel
A traditional Mexican ring game in which the circle walks around singing and, one by one, the children who are named turn around to face outward without letting go of hands. Children practice orienting their bodies (in, out, front, back) while the group warms up with easy walking.
How to play
- Holding hands in a circle, the teacher teaches the Spanish verse "A la rueda, rueda de San Miguel…" ("Round and round Saint Michael's wheel, everyone brings a box of honey… let Ana turn around!") (1 min).
- Sing while walking in a circle; when a name is called, that child turns to face outward and keeps going without letting go of hands (2 min).
- Change the circle's step each time through the song: tiptoes, giant steps, little hops, or slow like a turtle (1 min).
- When everyone faces out, sing it backward: "let Ana turn to the front!" until the whole circle faces in again (1 min).
- To finish, the circle walks into the middle with arms up as if sharing the box of honey, then slowly opens back out (1 min).
Rules
- We never let go of hands, not even to turn around.
- Only the child whose name is called turns.
- The circle walks at the same speed so nobody trips.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, call two or three children at a time and help them turn; the circle just walks.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, call one child per verse and change the kind of step each time.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the child who just turned calls the next name, and the circle walks left or right as the teacher signals.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair holds a friend's hand on each side and turns the chair with help, or just turns the upper body.
- Autism: preview the game with a picture of the circle and give a heads-up before calling the child's name; they may turn while holding an adult's hand.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher points to the child and makes a turning gesture with a finger when calling the name.
Learning goals
- Learn a traditional ring game from Mexico.
- Tell the difference between facing into and out of the circle.
- Move as a group, matching steps with friends.
Teacher tip
"Voltearse de burro" is the Mexican way of saying turn around and face away from the center; show it once before you start. Kids usually let go to turn, so teach them to pass an arm over their head while still holding hands.
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