The Jumping Compass

Each child stands inside a hoop with a color dot in front, behind, and on each side; the teacher calls a color and children jump out of the hoop on that side, then jump back in. They practice jumping in four directions and spatial orientation.

How to play

1. Everyone places a hoop and sticks on four dots: red in front, blue behind, yellow and green on the sides (3 min).
2. Standing in the hoop, point to each color and name it (2 min).
3. The teacher calls a color: jump out on that side and back in with feet together (4 min).
4. Now the teacher calls the color and direction: "Red, front!" "Blue, back!" (3 min).
5. A child becomes the compass and calls the colors for everyone (2 min).

Rules

• I jump out on the side of the color I hear.
• I always come back to my hoop.
• I jump with feet together and land softly.
• My hoop is my home—I don't go into someone else's.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: from inside the hoop, point or toss a beanbag toward the color called.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher holds up a card in the color called.
• Visual impairment: use different textures (sandpaper, felt, rubber) on each side instead of dots.

Learning goals

• Jump forward, backward, and sideways.
• Orient in relation to one's own body.
• Connect colors with directions.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 25
• color dot stickers: 100

Teacher tip

Place all hoops with the dots facing the same way and children facing you—otherwise the whole group gets mixed up. Leave about three feet between hoops.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary