The Shepherd's Drum Sorts the Flock
The sheep respond to the shepherd's signals by bunching up close, spreading far across the meadow, or lining up behind. It gets the whole group moving and practices near, far, and behind with a reference point that moves.
How to play
- The teacher is the shepherd and the children are sheep; the teacher teaches three drum signals: one beat, two beats, and a drumroll (1 min).
- The sheep graze all over the meadow; on one beat, they all gather very close to the shepherd (1 min).
- On two beats, the sheep go far away, each to its own patch of meadow with no other sheep nearby (2 min).
- On the drumroll, they all line up behind the shepherd and follow across the meadow (1 min).
- The shepherd counts the sheep with a gentle tap on each head and lets them rest lying down close by (1 min).
Rules
- One beat: close to the shepherd.
- Two beats: far away, each sheep in its own spot.
- Drumroll: line up behind the shepherd.
- Sheep don't push.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use just two signals (near and far) and say the words too.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use all three signals.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the shepherd keeps moving while signaling, and a fourth signal is added: "beside the shepherd."
Adaptations
- Hearing loss: pair each signal with a big gesture (a hug, wide-open arms, a hand pointing at your back).
- Visual impairment: the child holds hands with a buddy sheep who follows the sound of the drum.
- Autism: preview the three signals on a picture card and point to the one in play.
Learning goals
- Tell near, far, and behind apart relative to a person.
- Link a sound signal to a position.
- Move as a group while respecting others' space.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
At first, after each signal, say out loud where they are ("Wow, you're so close!") to lock in the word. If they crowd on "near," have them come on all fours, which slows them down.
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