Traditional Games Warm-Up: Hopscotch and Jump Rope

Students warm up at three traditional playground game stations: hopscotch, long jump rope and Chinese jump rope with a held cord. Besides activating the ankles and legs, it introduces a unit on traditional games and gathers the names and versions students know from home.

How to play

1. Draw two hopscotch grids with chalk, set up two long jump ropes and two Chinese jump rope areas with a cord held by two people; jog easily while setting up (2 min).
2. Station 1, hopscotch: toss a small cone into a square and hop through on one and two feet without stepping on the lines, at a lively pace (3 min).
3. Station 2, long jump rope: two students turn and the others run in, jump five times and run out without stopping the rope, chanting a traditional rhyme (3 min).
4. Station 3, Chinese jump rope: jumps at ankle, knee and hip height combining entries, steps on the cord and exits (3 min).
5. Wrap-up: each group shares a local name or a different song they know for one of these games (1 min).

Rules

• The jump rope turns below head height and those waiting stand 6 ft away.
• In Chinese jump rope, the highest level is hip height to prevent falls.
• In hopscotch, take turns and never push the jumper.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: turns the jump rope, tosses the cone in hopscotch and leads the rhyme's rhythm.
• Visual impairment: mark the hopscotch squares with raised tape, and someone calls out when to enter the jump rope.
• Overweight or joint problems: jumps on two feet with low height and alternates with turning the rope.

Learning goals

• Activate the ankles, calves and quads with varied jumps.
• Learn traditional playground games as a cultural practice.
• Collect and share local versions of the games.

Equipment for a class of 25

• chalk: 6
• jump ropes: 6
• cones: 6

Teacher tip

It is a good unit opener: ask students to find out about other playground games at home for the next lesson. Remember to clean the chalk or use it where it will not bother anyone.

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