What’s Up PE Fam!
I hope you are doing well, I wanted to share a fun new activity I tried out for the first time this year.
This is a fun warmup or instant activity for any grade level. I tried it out with my 1st – 5th graders for the first time recently and it went really well.
It’s great if you have four square courts already set up because then you don’t need any equipment and can play quickly anytime (and we all know no equipment games are the BEST right now because you don’t have to spray anything down afterwards)
My courts are 15 x 15 ft squares, if you don’t have courts you can use spots, tape, cones or chalk to make the dots for the corners of the squares
I’m not sure where the game originally came from, I saw it on Twitter a few times and decided to try it out.
Check out the video below for some examples of how I play it:
Variations or Modifications to Consider:
- Do a Crab Walk https://twitter.com/ElemPE1/status/1346191817885159424
- Dribble a basketball https://twitter.com/ElemPE1/status/1339005733082341376
- Go Backwards: https://twitter.com/Playworks/status/664860244166623232
Game Description:
You can play with only 5 kids, but it works better with 6 or more, if you have 6 students one person will be waiting and will be the “caller”. With a 5 student game there is no wait line and the person in the middle will be the “caller”.
I found that the 5 person game was a little more confusing for students and it helped to have a 6th person being the caller who was not involved in the game.
Activity Description:
Students will play on a 15 x 15 square or 4 square court
- Rules I use for the game:
-
- First person in line is caller and calls out the signal “switch”
- On the signal everyone must find a new corner
- If you don’t find a corner, you go to the back of the line
- The caller should stand 1 step away from the square so they don’t get run over by the players during the game
- Stay on your feet, if you slide or fall down your automatically out
- In the event of a tie, the person with their foot on the corner wins
- After each round the caller goes to the middle to start the next round and next in line becomes caller
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That’s it – try it out and see if it’s a hit with your students!
Linda Garrison says
Thanks for all you do to share and be a PE professional. Your teamwork helps everyone level up!
Marcus says
You’re welcome Linda!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Tony says
Amazed at how well this one worked and was enjoyed nearly universally. That’s pretty rare and super valuable!
Thanks again.
Tony
Marcus says
You’re right Tony!
Awesome game students love!
Katie Litton says
I love this game. It’s quick and easy and students love it. I figured we would only be able to play for a few minutes before they got bored but they can play for a good long time. It’s also a self monitored game which I absolutely love. We solve any issues with Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Marcus says
Hey Katie!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Switch is such an awesome game to play!
mimi says
Great game!! I introduced it to one of my SPED classes and it was a hit! Not only were they working on movement skills, but also trying to remember the steps on how to play the game and using their voice to say “SWITCH!” That is a classroom goal for them to speak up and use their voice!
Thanks again for sharing!
Marcus says
That’s awesome Mimi! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Glad your students are learning to use their voice!
Coach B says
When I first saw this game, it was called “scramble” several years ago.
I can’t remember where I saw it though. However, I think I like the “switch” better.
As usual, thanks for all your great content you share!
Marcus says
Hey Coach!
Someone commented the same thing yesterday. They said they got it from the SPARK PE Curriculum!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Nancy Cauble says
I first saw this in our Spark Curriculum called “Scramble.”
Marcus says
Cool Nancy! I will have to check out SPARK’s version!
Thanks for sharing!
Lenora Meche says
I love this game, but every time I play it, someone gets hurt. Any thoughts on variations that will avoid them running into each other so often? The last time I played it, I even made it a rule that they could not run. They could only do a fast walk. That didn’t seem to slow them down. I thought about making them keep a bean bag on their heads, but those seem to slide off their heads too easily. Any other thoughts?
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Lenora,
Thanks for reaching out! Totally understand your frustration, especially with students who are super competitive.
All your ideas are what we would try as well.
We try to discuss with students about safety and if they are out of control then they can not participate. That seems to help. We told our student if they crash into each other they are out. If you play with 6 or 7 students then you can have the students who crash into each both be out.
Good Luck!
Barclay Sale says
Thanks for many ideas and specific instructions for presenting them to students.
Marcus Nellems says
You’re welcome Barclay! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Dennis Embree says
I love this idea. I can’t wait to play this with my classes after our spring break. I have been trying to find games with little or no equipment for our field/fun day we do at the end of the year. This would be great for that. If you or others have other suggestions for activities with little to no equipment I would love to hear them.
Marcus Nellems says
Sounds good Dennis! We will be sure to send them your way!
Switch is an awesome game and students love it!