Support Dice: Figures With Random People and Contact Points

Two dice decide how many people build the figure and how many contact points can touch the floor in total. Each group solves the challenge its own way, safely, and finds out there are many solutions.

How to play

1. Groups of six. Roll the first die (people: 1-2 = two, 3-4 = three, 5-6 = four) and the second (floor contact points: the number rolled plus the number of people) (3 min).
2. Free round: the group builds a figure that meets the challenge and holds it 5 seconds. Extra students act as spotters and judges (6 min).
3. Round with an extra condition: at least one person must have both feet off the floor (6 min).
4. Copy round: each group shows its best solution and the group next to it tries to copy it (6 min).
5. Wrap-up: which was the most original solution with the fewest contact points? Show of hands (4 min).

Rules

• Feet, hands, knees, elbows and seats touching the floor all count as contact points.
• If a challenge looks dangerous, the group may reroll one die.
• Judges count contact points out loud during the hold.
• Nobody climbs on another person's lower back or head.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: joins the figure with their usual supports (wheelchair, crutches), counted as one contact point.
• Visual impairment: tactile dice or a partner reads the roll; they touch a test version of the figure before building it.
• Nervous students: may always be a judge or spotter for a round.

Learning goals

• Solve movement challenges that have several solutions.
• Decide as a group which figure is safe and doable.
• Control the number of contact points and the group's balance.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym mats: 14
• large dice: 6

Teacher tip

No large dice? A regular die in a cup or a spinner on the smartboard works fine. The usual mistake is going for the tallest figure: remind them the challenge is about contact points, not height.

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