Category: Literacy

Guardians of the Galaxy

· ALL, Fun, Gr 1, Gr 2, Gr 3, Gr 4, Gr 5, Gr 6, Gr 7, Gr 8, K, Literacy, Tag

Grade level: K-8
Equipment: Cones, Foam balls, Math/Word Cards
Game Description: Another true winner of a game (awesome idea thanks to David Isenberg). This one is cross-curricular, or also AKA literacy/numeracy. A little bit of pre-game work needs to be done here, but not much. You need to make some cards out of paper. These could be math problems, word or vowel cards, geography, science, etc, depending what you want to accomplish. You’ll make 50-100 of these cards and place them down on the floor. Then you’ll make relay teams, and teams will try to collect the cards and place them in the right category on the answer sign. There will be guardians who are assigned to try to protect the cards though…it’s a super fun, non-stop action and learning game all in one!

Line Math

· ALL, Gr 1, Gr 2, Gr 3, Gr 4, Gr 5, Gr 6, Gr 7, Gr 8, Literacy, Warm-up

Grade level: 1-8
Equipment: Paper
Game Description: Line Math is another game that connects the two curricular areas of physical education with mathematics. Help solidify some math concepts while at the same time getting some movement skill development and exercise. Start by creating the numbers “1” to “5” written each on their own full size paper or poster. Have students start in a relay-style (small teams, maybe of 3 players, to minimize idle time). Place the number pages at different distances away from the starting line along one side of the gym (placing them at the intersections of floor lines is best). To start the game, the teacher yells out a math problem (varies in complexity depending on the age and level of the students). The first student in each line will then run the distance to the answer. For example, if “10-5” is called, the students run the distance to where the 5 is on the floor. Once back, the teacher yells out another equation, etc, etc. Try putting obstacles along the way to spice it up. Or have students hop/skip/gallop/etc instead of running. Quick little warm-up numeracy game to try out if you haven’t already!

Human Alphabet

· ALL, Gr 1, Gr 2, Gr 3, K, Literacy, No Equipment!

Grade level: K-3
Equipment: None
Game Description: Human Alphabet is a fairly popular early primary level game that gets kids spelling letters with their bodies. Very simply, the students move around in a space (choose a locomotion: run, skip, gallop, etc) and when the teachers calls out a letter (example: “L”) then the students must find the nearest person, quickly partner up, get down on the floor, and use their bodies to make the shape of the letter together to spell it. Then get them moving again and call out another letter. And again. And again! This game is another combination of movement skills and literacy. Play along to music, or place down obstacles on the floor to make it more interesting! Or try groups of 3, 4, or more – have them spell words.

Mental Math Warm-up

· ALL, Gr 1, Gr 2, Gr 3, Gr 4, Gr 5, Gr 6, Gr 7, Gr 8, Literacy, Warm-up

Grade level: 1-8
Equipment: None
Game Description: Although this is not an actual game, it’s an interesting way to run a basic warm-up while also adding some mental sharpening skills. A warm-up for both the physical and mental! Read More →

Lilly Pad Math

· ALL, Fun, Gr 1, Gr 2, Gr 3, Gr 4, Gr 5, Literacy

Grade level: 1-5
Equipment: Colored spots (lilly pads), paper
Game Description: Another active game that adds some math into the equation. Players will do some basic math as well as run, hop, skip, jump, and any other movement skills desired. Read More →

SpellBall

· ALL, Gr 2, Gr 3, Gr 4, Gr 5, Gr 6, Gr 7, Gr 8, Literacy

Grade level: 2-8
Equipment: Exercise ball
Game Description: What’s better than rolling a ball around and spelling physical education words? OK well, probably alot of things… BUT this game gives players a chance to roll an exercise ball at friends in the middle who try to dodge it. All you need is an exercise ball, a circle of friends, and a couple players in the middle. Read More →

Heart Smart

· ALL, Gr 1, Gr 2, Gr 3, Gr 4, K, Literacy, No Equipment!, Outdoor

Grade level: K-4
Equipment: None
Game Description: Heart Smart ties together health smarts with physical activity (both are obviously important for everyone so why not give it a try!) It’s a quick game that can be used as a warm-up or movement break. Read More →

Scrabble