Note: If the weather is bad, and you don't have the gym, consider playing four corners, quiet ball or watching a PBS kids program in an available classroom, relo or other space. Additional inside games you could play are available here: https://sites.google.com/granitesd.org/mr-brough/teacher-helps
Grades K - 6
(15 - 20 minute activity)
Equipment: None
Description:
Have students stand arm's length apart from each other at a designated starting point (consider using the numbers or letters along the sides of the gym to represent levels in the game; with students starting at level A or level 1).
After several demonstrations, choose a student to take your place in the front as the Chi Master. The Chi Master will say “I am the Chi Master!” and everyone responds, “You are the Chi Master!”
The Chi Master will then say “1...2...3!” On “3”, everyone will pick one of the three chosen movements.
The movements are as follows (feel free to create your own movements if you'd like):
Meditator: Standing with one leg crossed over the other (foot can touch the ground if needed for balance) with hands out to the side, thumbs touching middle fingers.
Sorcerer: lunge position (kneeling on one knee), both arms out in front, wrists touching (as if proposing with a ring in a box, etc.).
Warrior: One leg forward, leg straight, back leg slightly bent, arms in an L position (one arm straight up, one arm straight out in front with palm facing up).
Any student who performs the SAME motion as the Chi Master is out or (as I prefer) must stay at their current level in the game until they win a match, at which time they can move forward to the next level, hoping to catch up).
The object of the game is to become the next Chi Master. This is accomplished by defeating the current Chi Master by being the first person to reach and defeat the Chi Master, or by beating the Chi Master at the last level, along with others.
If there are a lot of winners in the end, and you only want one winner, have them do a quick Row-Sham-Bow tournament. Otherwise, you could just have them start over at the first level to see how many times they can defeat the Chi Master, allowing others to continue to play through with everyone getting the chance to defeat the Chi Master.
To better understand parts of the game, such as the stances, check out the following video: