Playing Team Games from Different Countries
About this lesson
In this 45-minute kindergarten lesson, children rotate in teams through four taped-off stations to play tag, Red Light Green Light, Duck Duck Goose, and Follow the Leader, then vote for a favorite with paper circles on a chart. Counting votes and discussing them helps them notice how children everywhere play in similar and different ways. You'll need chart paper, markers, colored paper circles, masking tape, and a whiteboard.
Objective
Students will identify similarities and differences in how children play games around the world.
Materials
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Colored paper circles
- Masking tape
- Whiteboard
Hook
Tell students that children all over the world love to play games, just like they do! Today we'll become world explorers and try simple games that kids play in different countries, then decide which ones we enjoyed most.
Main Activity
Set up four game stations around the classroom using tape to mark boundaries. Station 1: Simple tag (like many countries play). Station 2: Red Light Green Light (traffic light game from various places). Station 3: Duck Duck Goose sitting circle. Station 4: Follow the Leader walking game. Divide class into four teams and rotate every 8 minutes through each station. After playing all games, teams vote on their favorite by placing colored paper circles on a chart. Count votes together and discuss which games were most popular and why.
Discussion Questions
- Which game was your favorite and why?
- How were these games similar to games you already know?
- What made each game fun to play?
- Do you think children in other countries would like the games we play at school?
- What do you think all children around the world have in common?
Exit Ticket
Draw a picture of yourself playing your favorite game from today and tell a friend why you liked it.
Differentiation
Support: Pair struggling students with confident partners during games and provide visual demonstrations of each game before starting.
Extension: Have advanced learners help lead game stations and create simple rules posters for each game using pictures and words.
