The Moon Rides in a Sheet

In groups of six, children hold a sheet with a giant ball on it, the moon, and carry it without dropping it to its home, a hoop, where they gently tip it in. It practices pulling tight, letting slack and moving in sync with classmates.

How to play

1. Each group holds its sheet by the edge and practices everyone stepping back to pull it tight, then letting it go loose (2 min).
2. We put the moon on top and rock it side to side like a cradle without letting it fall (2 min).
3. We walk the moon to its home, a hoop on the other side of the playground (2 min).
4. When we get there, we all tip the sheet together so the moon drops right into the hoop (2 min).
5. On the way back we bounce the moon with gentle little bounces in the sheet (2 min).
6. Two groups come together and pass the moon from one sheet to the other without touching it with their hands (2 min).

Rules

• We all hold the sheet with both hands.
• No touching the moon with our hands.
• If the moon falls, whoever is closest picks it up and we keep going.
• We walk at the group's pace.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: they hold the sheet from their wheelchair and the group adjusts the height; they can choose the direction of travel.
• Autism: give them a fixed spot on the sheet, marked with a colored clothespin, and warn them before the moon bounces.
• Visual impairment: use a ball with a bell inside so they can track where the moon is.

Learning goals

• Coordinate strength with classmates to control an object.
• Move as a group without losing the object.
• Work out together how to drop the ball into place.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Old bedsheets: 4
• Large inflatable balls: 4
• Hoops: 4

Teacher tip

Twin-size sheets work great; if they're big, fold them in half. Practice “pull tight” with the sheet on the floor before adding the ball, because everyone's first instinct is to yank their hands up fast.

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