The Giant Ball Wakes the Sleepyheads
Everyone is asleep lying around the playground, and the teacher rolls a giant ball that gently touches a sleepyhead to wake them up; that child joins the patrol pushing the ball until everyone is awake. It works on reaction, going from still to active, and cooperation.
How to play
- We all lie down spread out around the playground, eyes closed, snoring softly (1 min).
- The teacher rolls the giant ball and touches a sleepyhead's foot or hand with it: they wake up, stretch and stand up (1 min).
- The child who woke up helps the teacher push the ball to another sleepyhead (2 min).
- When lots of children are awake, the patrol jogs behind the ball until nobody is left asleep (1 min).
- Everyone's awake: we make a circle around the ball and lift it together, shouting “Good morning!” (1 min).
Rules
- Sleepyheads stay still until the ball touches them.
- The ball rolls slowly; it's never thrown.
- The patrol pushes the ball with their hands, all together.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher wakes several children at once, and everyone walks behind the ball.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, each child who wakes up pushes the ball to the next sleepyhead.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, each child who wakes up does a chosen move (jump, spin, crawl) before joining the patrol.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: sleeps sitting in their chair and the ball touches their hand; then they guide the patrol by calling out where to go.
- Autism: if they dislike touch, the ball stops next to them and the teacher says “Wake up!”
- Visual impairment: walks hand in hand with a classmate in the patrol and touches the ball to follow it.
Learning goals
- Move gradually from calm to active.
- React to a touch cue.
- Cooperate to move a big object.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pelota gigante: 1
Teacher tip
A big exercise ball or beach ball works; roll it very slowly so it never squashes anyone. Wake the most restless children first so they quickly get their job in the patrol.
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