Step on Circles, Hop on Squares
The playground is covered with chalk circles, squares and triangles, and each shape asks for a different movement. Children practice recognizing basic shapes by sight while warming up.
How to play
- Before the session, the teacher draws lots of large chalk shapes on the ground: circles, squares and triangles all mixed up, and we sit and look at them from the edge (1 min).
- We walk around together and the teacher points: "This is a circle, round like a ball"; we trace the edge with our toes (1 min).
- We run around to the beat of the drum; when it stops, the teacher names a shape and everyone steps inside one (2 min).
- Each shape has its own move: spin in the circle, jump with feet together in the square, balance on one foot in the triangle (2 min).
- We finish by walking slowly along the edge of our favorite shape like tightrope walkers (1 min).
Rules
- Lots of friends can fit in one shape.
- Watch the ground and your friends while you run.
- When the drum stops, listen for the shape.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only circles and squares, and the teacher helps by pointing.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use all three shapes with their moves.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the teacher holds up a paper shape without naming it, and we add rectangles.
Adaptations
- Child with limited mobility: draw shapes closer together; reaching the edge counts.
- Deaf or hard-of-hearing child: the teacher holds up a paper shape as well as saying it, and raising and lowering a hand replaces the drum.
- Child overwhelmed by noise and running: holds a buddy's hand and walks instead of running.
Learning goals
- Recognize circle, square and triangle.
- Link each shape to a movement.
- Warm up with short runs and jumps.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tizas: 6
- pandero: 1
Teacher tip
Draw the shapes big enough for three or four children so no one gets left out. At first everyone crowds into one shape: point to the empty ones.
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