The Last-Day Clapping Tunnel
To say goodbye to the school year, the class forms a tunnel of raised arms and each child goes through it however they like while everyone claps, then joins the end so the tunnel travels. It works different ways of moving and the feeling of being celebrated by the group.
How to play
- Make two lines facing each other and join hands up high with the person across to form a tunnel (2 min).
- First pass: the first child walks through the tunnel while everyone claps and cheers their name, then joins the end; then the next child goes (3 min).
- Everyone chooses how to go through: crawling, dancing, hopping, sideways or arms up high, and the tunnel claps even louder (3 min).
- Traveling tunnel: since each child joins the end, the tunnel moves forward; take it all the way to the playground gate or to the families (2 min).
- Make a circle, thank each other for the year and give a big round of applause to the teacher and the whole group (2 min).
Rules
- Go through one at a time.
- We clap for everyone just as loudly.
- Tunnel arms stay up until our friend is through.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the grown-ups make the tunnel and children go through one at a time or in pairs, holding hands.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, the children make the tunnel and each chooses how to go through.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, each child announces how they’ll go through, and the tunnel copies that move when welcoming them at the end.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: make the tunnel wider and higher for the wheelchair; the child can go through with a buddy pushing or under arms at their height.
- Hearing loss: along with clapping, the tunnel waves hands in the air, which is applause in sign language.
- Autism: the child can go through with quiet “jazz hands” applause or alongside a familiar buddy.
Learning goals
- Travel in different self-chosen ways.
- Show joy and appreciation for classmates.
- End the school year with a group celebration.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Music
Teacher tip
It’s perfect for the last day with families watching. Some children get shy going through; offer to let them go hand in hand with a friend.
PatioLab has "The Last-Day Clapping Tunnel" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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