The Giant Face We Build on the Run
The teacher chalks the outline of a huge face, and each group runs for one type of material to make a part: pine cones for eyes, sticks for hair, leaves for cheeks, and rocks for the mouth. It builds running while carrying objects and teamwork to create temporary art.
How to play
- Look at the giant chalk circle and decide together what's missing: eyes, nose, mouth, hair, ears (2 min).
- Make four groups; each has a basket far away with one material and one part of the face (2 min).
- Run to the basket, grab just one thing, and come back to place it on your part of the face (5 min).
- The teacher calls "Switch!" and each group moves to the next basket to help with another part (3 min).
- Look at the face from far away: is it happy, angry, surprised? Everyone copies it with their face and body (2 min).
- Change the expression by running to move two or three pieces: from happy to sad (2 min).
Rules
- One thing per trip.
- Rocks get walked over, held with two hands.
- I help the group that's moving slower.
- I run looking out so I don't bump into another group.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, a smaller face, two materials (pine cones and leaves), and one big group with the teacher.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, four groups and the basket switch.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, each group decides what face to make and turns it into a different emotion at the end.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the group brings the basket close and the child places the pieces for the part of the face nearby.
- Autism: show a photo of a face made from leaves and pine cones first so the child knows what we're building.
- Hearing loss: signal "Switch!" by raising a colored scarf.
Learning goals
- Run while carrying objects of different sizes and weights.
- Work as a group toward a shared project.
- Recognize and show emotions with the body.
Equipment for a class of 25
- large pine cones: 12
- short sticks: 30
- dry leaves
- large rocks: 10
- baskets: 4
- chalk: 2
Teacher tip
Place the baskets on different sides so groups don't cross paths. Remind everyone that large rocks get walked, not run: it's the one race that isn't a race.
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