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The Shape Die Decides

A child rolls a giant die with shapes drawn on it and everyone runs to the matching giant chalk shape to run along its edge. They practice recognizing a shape in two different places and running along an outline.

Illustration of the PE activity The Shape Die Decides
PhaseMain activitie
Duration12 min
Ages3–6
SpaceOutdoor yard
EquipmentGiant shape die, Chalk
IntensityHigh

How to play

  1. The teacher draws four huge chalk shapes on the playground: circle, square, triangle and star, and the die has the same shapes on its sides (1 min).
  2. We walk along the edge of each shape together: the circle is round with no corners, the square has four equal corners (2 min).
  3. A child rolls the die, we all look at the shape and run to the matching chalk shape to run along its edge (4 min).
  4. At each corner we do a move: jump, clap or freeze (3 min).
  5. If the smiley face comes up, everyone runs to the middle for a group hug; we finish by walking one very slow lap (2 min).

Rules

Variations

Easier

For 3-year-olds, only circles and squares repeated on the die, and we walk the edges.

Standard

For 4-year-olds, all four shapes and running.

Harder

For 5-year-olds, the die shapes and floor shapes are in different colors: they must focus only on shape.

Adaptations

Learning goals

Equipment for a class of 25

Teacher tip

Make a giant die from a cardboard box covered in paper. Draw an arrow showing which way to go so no one runs head-on.

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