The Corridor That Plays as I Pass
The class forms two corridors of musicians, and one child at a time travels through in their own way; musicians only play when the child is right next to them, so the sound follows them along. It builds varied movement, attention to a classmate and turn-taking.
How to play
- Make two corridors: two facing lines of musicians, each with an instrument (2 min).
- The teacher walks through one corridor and only the musicians beside them play, so the sound follows (1 min).
- Taking turns, one child per corridor travels through however they like: walking, zigzagging, crawling or hopping; at the end they join the musicians and the first child in line goes next (5 min).
- Now go through two at a time, holding hands or one behind the other (2 min).
- Close the corridor into a circle and everyone plays together with a little dance in place (2 min).
Rules
- Play only when your friend passes in front of you.
- Instruments stay out of the corridor.
- Waiting means playing, and that's part of the game too.
Variations
Easier
Age 3: one short corridor, the teacher walks with each child, and musicians play the whole time.
Standard
Age 4: two corridors, and each child chooses how to travel.
Harder
Age 5: the traveler changes speed and the musicians have to match with their sound: fast, slow, stopped.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a wider corridor for the wheelchair; musicians can play sitting down.
- Visual impairment: the musicians' sound guides them through, with the teacher calling from the end.
- Autism: if being the center of attention is hard, go through holding a friend's hand or stay a musician.
Learning goals
- Move in different ways through a set space.
- Pay attention to a classmate's movement.
- Take turns actively.
Equipment for a class of 25
- homemade shakers: 10
- rhythm sticks: 8
- jingle bell bracelets: 7
Teacher tip
Keep corridors short, about six children per side, so turns come quickly. The first ones usually sprint; suggest going through "like a snail" so the musicians get to enjoy following them.
PatioLab has "The Corridor That Plays as I Pass" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Elementary
"Al Pasar la Barca" Parachute Rowing
Sitting around the parachute, children row by pulling the fabric toward them and letting it go toward the middle to the rhythm of the traditional Spanish song "Al pasar…
"Corro de la Patata" Parachute Circle
Children circle with the parachute while singing the traditional Spanish song "Al corro de la patata" (Potato Circle), and on "achupé, achupé" everyone sits down…
"El Patio de Mi Casa" Parachute Song
Children sing the traditional Spanish ring song "El patio de mi casa" while circling with the parachute and lowering it to the ground on "agáchate" (squat down).
"Que Llueva" Parachute Rain
Using the traditional Spanish children's song "Que llueva, que llueva" (Let It Rain), children make rain, clouds and sun with the parachute, and some hide underneath as…
«A la Zapatilla por Detrás»: The Slipper Behind Your Back
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, one child walks around the outside with a slipper singing the traditional Spanish rhyme «A la zapatilla por detrás» («the…
«A Tapar la Calle»: The Chain That Blocks the Street
Half the class forms a hand-in-hand chain that walks forward singing the traditional Spanish song «A tapar la calle» («Block the street so nobody passes»), while the…