Skater Stop at the Triangle

Children skate by running around an imaginary ice rink, and when the triangle rings they stop dead with legs apart and arms out, without falling. It practices sudden stops with balance and body control on the move.

How to play

1. Teach the skater stop: legs apart, knees bent, arms out like wings and body still (2 min).
2. Skate by walking fast to the drum; when the triangle rings, skater stop! and hold still for a count of three (3 min).
3. Now skate by running; the triangle rings when nobody expects it (3 min).
4. The ice changes: the teacher says "slippery ice" and they brake with tiny steps, or "sticky ice" and they freeze instantly (2 min).
5. Finish skating very slowly around the rink and waving to the audience (1 min).

Rules

• When I hear the triangle, I stop dead right where I am.
• I stop with my legs apart so I don't fall.
• I skate looking ahead and leave room for others.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair brakes with hands on the wheels and holds arms out.
• Hearing impairment: the triangle comes with a blue "ice" card the teacher holds up.
• Less balance: stop from walking with hands on knees; may hold a buddy's hand.

Learning goals

• Stop suddenly at a signal without losing balance.
• Control running speed.
• Move safely in a shared space.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Triangle: 1
• Hand drum: 1

Teacher tip

Check the surface isn't actually slippery and has no loose sand. The typical mistake is stopping with a little hop forward, so practice the stop while walking before running.

More main activities for Elementary