Turtle Carries Its Shell

On all fours, children are turtles carrying their shell (a cushion) on their back without letting it slide off as they travel a small course. It builds keeping the back steady and coordinating arms and legs while carrying an object with the body.

How to play

1. Get on all fours, and the teacher sets a cushion on each turtle's back: "back flat like a table" (2 min).
2. The turtles stroll slowly around the space without dropping their shell (2 min).
3. Travel the course: soft mats, around hoop ponds and alongside the bench without climbing it (3 min).
4. If a shell falls, the turtle freezes and a turtle friend puts it back on (2 min).
5. Turtles carry the shell other ways: crawling on the belly with the cushion on the back, or crawling backward (2 min).
6. The turtles hide in their shells: curl into a ball with the cushion on top and breathe slowly (1 min).

Rules

• No holding the shell with your hands.
• Turtles go slowly: there's no hurry.
• If a friend's shell falls, we help put it back.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: carry the shell on the knees or lap while moving through the course in the wheelchair.
• Low vision: mark the course with ropes on the floor and have a guide turtle go in front making a sound.
• Low muscle tone or less strength: crawl on the belly with the cushion on the back, which takes less arm strength.

Learning goals

• Keep the back steady on all fours.
• Carry an object with the body without using the hands.
• Help a classmate when they need it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cushions: 25
• Mats: 4
• Low benches: 2
• Hoops: 6

Teacher tip

Use firm, fairly thin cushions that sit well. The cue that works best: "The table doesn't move; the legs do."

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