The Engineer in the Middle

A child in the middle of the circle is the train engineer and uses arm signals to make the circle go fast, slow, open, close or stop. It builds paying attention to visual signals, controlling movement, and making decisions for the group.

How to play

1. The teacher stands in the middle and teaches the signals: arms rolling fast, circle goes fast; arms rolling slowly, circle goes slow; arms wide, circle opens; arms crossed on chest, circle closes; hands on head, stop (3 min).
2. Practice the signals with the teacher as engineer, first one at a time, then linked together (2 min).
3. Count out with the rhyme "Choo-choo, choo-choo, choo-choo-choo, the engineer now is... you!" and the chosen child goes into the middle to drive the train circle for a few signals (4 min).
4. The engineer can also choose how the train travels: waddling like ducks, on tiptoe or with little hops (2 min).
5. We arrive at the station: the last engineer puts hands on head and everyone sits down slowly (1 min).

Rules

• Always watch the engineer.
• The engineer gives one signal at a time and waits for the circle to do it.
• When the circle goes fast, take short steps so nobody lets go.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair makes a perfect engineer; in the circle, classmates match the chair's pace.
• Autism: draw the signals on a card the engineer can hold up instead of doing the gesture.
• Visual impairment: the engineer says the command out loud as well as doing the gesture.

Learning goals

• Respond with movement to visual signals.
• Control the speed and shape of the circle.
• Make decisions that the group follows.

Teacher tip

Ask the engineer to count to five before changing signals; otherwise they switch so fast the circle can't keep up. Let 4 or 5 engineers go each session and note who's next time.

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