Sea, Cloud or River: The Fabric Changes
Half the group holds a big sheet and turns it into the sea (waves along the ground), a cloud (held high) or a river (stretched flat and still); the other half moves as fish, birds or jumpers depending on what the fabric is. It works on up, down, around and over, plus expression through pretend play.
How to play
- Show the sheet and its three forms: sea (shake it low in waves), cloud (lift it high) and river (lay it flat on the ground); half the group holds the edges (2 min).
- “Sea!” The holders make waves close to the ground and the others swim like fish around the sheet without touching it (3 min).
- “Cloud!” The sheet goes up high and the others fly like birds underneath from one side to the other, without stopping under it (3 min).
- “River!” The sheet lies flat on the ground and the others jump over it or walk along the bank (2 min).
- The teacher mixes up the three calls faster and faster, then the groups switch roles (4 min).
- The fabric goes to sleep: lower it very slowly and lay it on the floor like a blanket (1 min).
Rules
- Holders don't let go of the sheet.
- Under the cloud, go through and out, don't stay.
- When the fabric changes, change how you move.
- Wait until the cloud is all the way up before going under.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, adults help hold the sheet and start with only sea and cloud.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, all three forms and switching roles.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add “Storm!” (big waves while fish crouch and hide far away) and a child gives the calls.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child can hold the sheet from their wheelchair or, in the moving group, roll under the cloud while it's held very high.
- Hearing impairment: each call has a gesture (wavy hands, arms up, arms flat out).
- Autism: if going underneath feels uneasy, the child can fly around the cloud instead of through it.
Learning goals
- Move in relation to an object: around, under and over.
- Represent animals and natural elements through movement.
- Coordinate as a group to move the sheet.
Equipment for a class of 25
- large bed sheet: 1
Teacher tip
An old queen-size sheet is perfect; with a big group use two. For the cloud, count “one, two, three, up!” before anyone goes under, or the sheet will drop on someone.
PatioLab has "Sea, Cloud or River: The Fabric Changes" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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