Teddy Bear Long Rope Rhyme
A long rope rhyme where the jumper starts inside the rope and acts out what the group chants: turn around, touch the ground, show your shoe, and run out. It builds coordination between jumping and other actions, rhythm, and memory for sequences.
How to play
- Make 5 groups of 5 with a 13-foot long rope: two turn, one jumps, and two chant and wait about 6 feet away. The jumper starts in the middle, with the rope resting behind their heels (2 min).
- Without the rope, learn the rhyme and its moves: "Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around; teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground; teddy bear, teddy bear, show your shoe; teddy bear, teddy bear, that will do!" Each line is four jumps (3 min).
- With the rope swinging side to side, not overhead: jump each time it reaches your feet and do the action between jumps. On "that will do," run out to one side (3 min).
- With the rope turning slowly all the way over, try the whole rhyme. Finish it and the group earns a "golden teddy"; if not, rotate: jumper to chanter, chanter to turner, turner to jumper (4 min).
- Each group makes up a new line ("Teddy bear, teddy bear, clap your hands") and teaches it to another group, who has to jump it. Count the golden teddies at the end (3 min).
Rules
- Chant slowly: the rhyme sets the rope's pace.
- To touch the ground, bend your knees and keep your head up, away from the rope.
- If the rope catches, let go and start over, no teasing.
Variations
Easier
Do the whole rhyme with the rope swinging and one action per line, without jumping at the same time.
Standard
Chant the full rhyme with the rope turning slowly, jumping between actions.
Harder
Run in as the rhyme starts and add a hopping line.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: chant, keep the beat on a hand drum, or do the moves seated as the rope passes in front.
- Deaf or hard of hearing: a partner holds up picture cards for each action at the right moment.
- Fitness level: strong jumpers hop two lines on one foot; students who tire do two lines and pass the turn.
Learning goals
- Coordinate long rope jumping with turns and arm actions.
- Keep the rhythm of a traditional jump rope rhyme.
- Create and share a new rhyme line with their group.
Equipment for a class of 25
- long rope: 5
Teacher tip
Turn the rope yourself with a student the first time to set a slow, steady rhythm. Young kids jump way too high: ask for small bounces, "like the floor is hot."
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