The Four-Kid Centipede

Children are little bugs that, when they see a number, link up in a line holding shoulders to form a centipede with that many kids, and then count its legs. It builds making groups of a given size and moving together in a line.

How to play

1. We walk around as little bugs with just one pair of legs, wiggling our fingers in the air (1 min).
2. At the drum beat, the teacher holds up a number card and we link up by the shoulders until we're that many kids (2 min).
3. Each centipede counts its heads, then counts its legs by stomping one at a time: "two, four, six…" or one by one (3 min).
4. The centipedes walk around the playground: forward, in curves and very slowly, without letting go (3 min).
5. At the end, all the centipedes join into a giant one and we count how many kids it has (3 min).

Rules

• Hold the shoulders of the friend in front, gently.
• The centipede goes as fast as its slowest kid.
• If a bug is left over, it joins a centipede or the teacher's.

Variations

Adaptations

• Child using a wheelchair: is the centipede's head, and the others link up behind holding the chair or a rope.
• Blind or low-vision child: rides in the middle of the line, holding a buddy who announces turns.
• Autistic child: can always be the tail of the centipede, with no one touching their back.

Learning goals

• Form groups of a given number.
• Count heads and feet in a group.
• Move in a line with coordinated steps.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pandero: 1
• tarjetas de números: 6

Teacher tip

The first time, make a sample centipede yourself and have them count the teacher's legs. The usual mistake is the front kid running: tell them they're the head and must check that the tail is following.

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