Walking the Square's Corners

The whole class travels along the edge of a giant chalk square, counts its four corners and changes the way they move on each side. Children discover sides and corners of a square while warming up.

How to play

1. Sitting outside a giant chalk square, we count its corners by pointing: 1, 2, 3, 4 (1 min).
2. We walk in a line along the edge and, at each corner, tap it with a hand and say its number (1 min).
3. Each side has a movement: side 1 on tiptoe, side 2 jogging, side 3 sideways like crabs and side 4 hopping (2 min).
4. At the drum beat we turn around and go the other way around the square (2 min).
5. We finish all inside the square, crouched down, slowly growing until we stretch up tall (1 min).

Rules

• Walk on the line without stepping on the feet of the person in front.
• At each corner, tap it and say its number.
• At the drum, turn around.

Variations

Adaptations

• Child using a wheelchair: travels the edge at their own pace with a buddy; the square is drawn away from obstacles.
• Blind or low-vision child: place a cone on each corner so it can be found by touch.
• Autistic child: always in the same spot in line, behind the teacher or a familiar buddy.

Learning goals

• Count the corners and sides of a square.
• Follow a straight line and change direction at a corner.
• Warm up with different ways of moving.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tizas: 4
• pandero: 1

Teacher tip

Draw the square about 25 feet per side so the line doesn't bunch up. If it jams, start two lines from opposite corners.

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