The Caboose Draws the Track

In trains of four, children walk with hands on the shoulders of the child in front, while the last car, crouching low, draws the track with chalk wherever the train goes. On the drum, everyone switches places. They practice walking in sync as a group, drawing while moving, and taking turns.

How to play

1. We form trains of four, hands on the shoulders of the child in front; the teacher gives chalk to the last child in each train (2 min).
2. Trains walk slowly around the yard; the caboose walks crouched, dragging the chalk to lay down the track (3 min).
3. On the drum, the engineer moves to the back and gets the chalk, so everyone gets to be the caboose (4 min).
4. On two drum beats, the trains walk back along the track they drew, without stepping off (3 min).
5. The trains pull into the station (a big chalk circle) and everyone sits to rest (2 min).

Rules

• The train walks slowly so the caboose can draw.
• Hands rest gently on shoulders, without pushing.
• On the drum, we switch, so everyone is both engineer and caboose.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child in the wheelchair is the engineer setting the path, or draws from the back with chalk on a long stick.
• Autism: build trains with familiar classmates and use a picture of the order of positions.
• Hearing loss: the teacher raises a hand and says "Switch!" with a clear gesture along with the drum.

Learning goals

• Move in sync with a group.
• Draw on the ground while walking.
• Take turns in each position.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Sidewalk chalk: 8
• Hand drum

Teacher tip

The caboose is crouching, so the train must go very slowly; say it in a tired-train voice. In a small yard, send the trains out in turns so there aren't too many crossing tracks.

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