Trip Around the World Movement Story
The class travels around the world in one day and moves the way people or animals do in each place: kangaroos in Australia, skiing in the Alps, samba in Brazil and penguins in Antarctica. It warms up different body parts and introduces world places.
How to play
- Everyone lines up as an airplane, arms out wide: take off and fly one jogging lap of the court (1 min).
- Australia: kangaroo hops with feet together and hands in front of the chest, 3 sets of 8 (1 min).
- The Alps: cross-country ski by sliding the feet and swinging opposite arms, then slalom in a zigzag between classmates (1 min 30 sec).
- Brazil: samba in place with quick feet and hip and arm moves for 30 seconds, twice (1 min).
- Antarctica: waddle like penguins with arms tight and tiny steps; on a clap, slide sideways (1 min).
- Egypt: climb the pyramid steps with high knees in place, 20 steps, and walk slowly back down (1 min).
- Fly home: take off again and land with a squat and three deep breaths (1 min 30 sec).
Rules
- On the airplane, everyone flies the same way and no passing.
- Dodge on the slalom without touching anyone.
- Land kangaroo hops with bent knees.
- When the plane lands, stop and listen for the next stop.
Variations
Easier
Visit only three places and walk the airplane.
Standard
Visit all five places as the teacher tells the story.
Harder
Students suggest a country and a typical movement, and the class does it.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: each stop has an arm version (skiing with imaginary poles, shoulder samba).
- Autism: show a map of the route beforehand and keep the same order.
- Fitness level: students who want more challenge climb the pyramid two steps at a time.
Learning goals
- Warm up the body with varied locomotor moves and jumps.
- Connect ways of moving with places and cultures around the world.
- Follow a story sequence without losing the rhythm.
Teacher tip
Bring a small map or point to where each place is: kids love it. Present cultures respectfully and avoid stereotypes.
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