Traffic Cop Turns: Left, Right, Straight
A pretend-play game where students drive hoop "cars" along chalk streets and turn right or left as the traffic cop at each intersection directs, signaling first with their arm. It builds laterality, orientation and basic traffic safety.
How to play
- Draw with chalk (or use court lines) 2 long streets crossed by 2 others, making 4 intersections, plus a garage in one corner (3 min).
- Each student holds a hoop as a steering wheel and drives at a walk or gentle jog on the right side of the street (2 min).
- Before every turn, signal: arm straight out on the turning side while saying "right" or "left" (3 min).
- Put a cop at each intersection who points where to go: cars stop, signal and turn. Rotate cops every 2 minutes (4 min).
- Finish: from the garage, call a route ("right, straight, left, right") and each car drives it back to the garage (3 min).
Rules
- Drive on the right and don't pass at intersections.
- Cars don't touch: keep one hoop's length behind the car ahead.
- Always stop at an intersection, even if no one is coming.
Variations
Easier
No cops: the teacher tells everyone at once which way to turn.
Standard
Cops at all 4 intersections, required signals and a called route.
Harder
The cop doesn't point but says "right" or "left" from their own view while facing the cars, and each driver translates it.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: students using wheelchairs drive without a hoop on wider streets, or serve as a cop longer.
- Autism: walk the route with the student first and keep the same cop at their first intersection.
- Skill level: confident drivers jog faster; unsure drivers get a copilot who reminds them to signal.
Learning goals
- Tell right from left when turning along a route.
- Plan ahead for a turn by signaling with the arm.
- Learn basic traffic rules.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hoops: 25
- chalk: 6
Teacher tip
Many kids signal with the wrong arm because they copy the car ahead: stop traffic now and then with "Red light!" and check arms. Connect it to bike hand signals.
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