The Big Shared Harvest Table

Children harvest food (balls) from the field and bring it to a long table of plates (hoops), first on their own and then in pairs, until every plate has the same amount. It works carrying objects and the idea of sharing food at fall celebrations.

How to play

1. Set up the long table: hoops in a row next to the benches, one per child; the balls, our pumpkins, apples and corn, are scattered around the field (2 min).
2. Harvest: each child brings one piece of food and puts it on an empty plate; when none are empty, on the plate with the least (3 min).
3. Partner harvest: in pairs, carry one ball held between both partners’ hands, without letting go, to a plate (3 min).
4. Fair shares: the teacher points to a full plate and together we move food to the plates with less until they’re all even (3 min).
5. Everyone sits in front of a plate, says thanks for the food and pretends to eat, yum! (2 min).
6. Put the harvest back in the baskets, one ball at a time (2 min).

Rules

• One piece of food at a time.
• In pairs, don’t let go until the plate.
• There’s room for everyone at the table.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: set the table at their height; the child receives food from a partner and places it on the plates.
• Visual impairment: use large, brightly colored balls and a buddy describes where the empty plates are.
• Autism: the child can harvest alone instead of in a pair and keeps the same plate marked with their photo.

Learning goals

• Carry objects alone and with a partner, coordinating movement.
• Share fairly with everyone.
• Learn about harvest celebrations from different cultures.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Balls: 30
• Hoops: 25
• Benches: 2
• Baskets: 4

Teacher tip

Connect it to Thanksgiving, harvest festivals or the foods your community shares; every kind of family celebrates by eating together. Fair sharing is the hardest part, so do it calmly and count out loud.

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