Sowing Beanbags Like in Oware

We turn the "sowing" move from oware, a board game from Ghana in the mancala family, into a playground game: pick up all the beanbags in a hoop and drop one in each hoop that follows. Children practice moving along a path in order, one-to-one counting and waiting for their turn.

How to play

1. The teacher shows a picture of an oware board and explains that in Ghana people play by moving seeds from pit to pit. Set out twelve hoops in two rows of six, like a giant board, with four beanbags in each (2 min).
2. The teacher demonstrates: pick up all the beanbags in one hoop and walk along the next hoops dropping one in each, going clockwise (2 min).
3. In groups of four, children take turns choosing a hoop, picking up its beanbags and sowing them one by one along the path (3 min).
4. Change how we move from hoop to hoop: hopping, tiptoeing, crawling, always dropping one beanbag per hoop (3 min).
5. At the end, the whole group helps put four beanbags back in each hoop, counting out loud, ready for next time (2 min).

Rules

• Drop one in every hoop and don't skip any.
• Always go the same way, like a clock.
• Wait for your turn outside the hoops.
• Place the beanbags, don't throw them.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: bring the hoops close in a small circle around the chair, or sow on a table using plates.
• Autism: mark the direction with arrows on the floor and say "your turn" with the child's name.
• Visual impairment: use high-contrast hoops and a buddy who guides the child by touching the edge of the next hoop.

Learning goals

• Follow a path of hoops in a set order.
• Hand out objects one at a time.
• Learn about a traditional game from Ghana.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hoops: 12
• Beanbags: 48

Teacher tip

Don't try to teach full oware rules: the sowing idea is plenty. If the hoops slide around, tape them down with masking tape.

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