The Inside-Out Sock Circle

Like a sock turned inside out, the whole circle passes under a bridge of arms without letting go and ends up facing outward; then it turns itself back. It builds solving a movement challenge as a group, body orientation and patience.

How to play

1. Standing in a circle facing in, the teacher shows a sock and turns it inside out: "Our circle is going to do the same without letting go" (1 min).
2. Two children next to each other raise their joined hands to make a bridge; the teacher shows how (2 min).
3. Try it with six children: the child opposite the bridge leads the line underneath, and once everyone passes through without letting go, the little circle ends up facing out (3 min).
4. Try it with the whole circle, slowly, while the teacher says "duck, go through, turn around" (3 min).
5. Turn the sock back through the same bridge so we face inward again (2 min).
6. Celebrate with one clap facing in and one clap facing out (1 min).

Rules

• We don't let go: if we do, we hold hands again and keep going.
• We duck and go through slowly.
• The bridge friends keep their arms up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair is part of the bridge, since going under may be hard; or make the bridge very high.
• Autism: watch it first with the sock and a small group before trying it.
• Visual impairment: the classmate in front says "duck!" and guides them by the hand.

Learning goals

• Solve a movement challenge as a group without letting go.
• Become aware of body orientation (facing in or out).
• Wait for and help classmates during the challenge.

Teacher tip

Bring a real sock: the picture helps them enormously. The bridge children get tired; if it's taking a while, let them lower their arms for a moment.

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