This week, Class 5 have been thinking about what it means to be a global player. We talked about how children all around the world play different games and how, even though the games might look very different, play is something that can bring people together wherever we live.
We became game explorers and tried out some traditional games from different parts of the world. We had lots of fun learning new rules, practising our skills and encouraging one another.
🇰🇷 Gonggi – South Korea
We used five counters. Four counters were placed on the floor and one was thrown gently into the air. While it was in the air, we had to pick up a counter from the floor and then catch the one we had thrown. Once we mastered one, we challenged ourselves to pick up two, three and eventually four at a time!
🐓 Luta de Galo – Brazil
We played a gentle, non-contact version of this Brazilian balance game. Standing opposite a partner, we balanced on one leg with our arms crossed like a rooster. We could flap our “wings” and make funny rooster movements to try to make our partner wobble — but without touching them! We then swapped legs and tried again.
⭐ Jacks
We used a small ball and five counters to play our own version of Jacks. We threw the ball gently into the air, picked up one counter and caught the ball before it landed. Once we had practised, we challenged ourselves to pick up two or more counters at a time. This one definitely tested our hand-eye coordination!
🌋 The Floor is Lava!
For this challenge, the floor became lava! Working in teams, we had to use hoops, spots or mats as stepping stones to get everyone safely from one side of the room to the other. We couldn’t touch the floor, so we had to talk, plan, listen and work together. We soon discovered that the best solution wasn’t always the quickest one!
After playing all of the games, the children completed a page in their Play Passport to record their experience of being a Global Player. We talked about which games we enjoyed, the skills we used and what we had discovered about play in different places around the world.
The Play Passports are staying safely in school, but Class 5 can still be your teachers at home! Ask them which game was their favourite and see if they can teach you how to play it. You might even have the equipment you need already — counters, a small ball and some hoops or pieces of paper are enough to get started.
We wonder which game your family will choose! 🌍❤️
