Who's Playing? Guess the Rhythm Eyes Closed

A calm circle game where a student with eyes closed hears a short rhythm and has to point to where it came from and copy it. It sharpens listening and brings energy down.

How to play

1. Sit in a circle. One person in the middle closes their eyes (1 min).
2. The teacher silently points to someone in the circle, who plays a short four-count rhythm; the person in the middle points to where it came from (4 min).
3. Variation: besides pointing, the person in the middle claps the rhythm back (2 min).
4. Wrap-up: talk about which clues helped you locate the sound (1 min).

Rules

• Total silence while the rhythm plays.
• Short rhythms at normal volume; no slamming.
• The person in the middle can open their eyes if they feel uncomfortable.
• Quick turns so lots of people get the middle.

Variations

Adaptations

• Blind or low-vision students: this is a game where they can shine; they play just like everyone else.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: look at the floor and guess by feeling floor taps, or be the conductor who picks the player.
• Anxious students: go into the middle with a partner.

Learning goals

• Locate where a sound comes from.
• Reproduce a short rhythm by ear.
• Cool down with a focus game.

Teacher tip

With a big class, make two circles of fourteen to get more turns. It's a good moment to point out how we use our ears when jumping rope.

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