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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 - 2
(15 - 20 minute Activity)
Equipment: Cones
Description:
This game is basically Red Light Green Light with a halloween theme and a few modifications to make it more team oriented. The goal of the game is for the ghosts (students) to work as a team to knock over their letter designated book shelf (orange construction cone) located on the opposite side of the gym next to their team's letter. The students (ghosts) need to do this without getting caught by the watchman (teacher).
Place cones on the baselines in front of each letter on the wall, not only does this help prevent students from accidently hitting the wall, but it also gives a starting point (a secret passage in the library walls) for each ghost team.
NOTE: I do not recommend letting students be the watchman. Also, this game can be played outside (remember to designate boundaries, that way students aren't just wondering off somewhere).
When dividing students into teams I have them choose which cone they want to stand behind, but I tell them that only a certain number of people can stand behind each cone. This way I can make teams that have close to the same amount of players. The students who stand next to letter B are Ghost Team B, students next to C are Ghost Team C, etc., (rather than using letters, consider using colored cones or colored paper to designate ghost teams).
Remind students that they're only allowed to knock over their teams bookshelf (take a moment to ensure each team can correctly identify their teams bookshelf).
Ghosts can only move forward when the watchman says “Lights off!” and looks away from the ghosts. When the watchman says “Lights on!” and turns around to face the ghosts, all of the ghosts must freeze and not move. If the watchman sees any of the ghost’s moving then all of the ghosts on the same team as the ghost that moved must return to their starting point (the secret passage - cone/letter/baseline, etc.).
As soon as a ghost or multiple ghosts knock over their designated bookshelf then their team, or teams, get a point and everyone goes back to the beginning for another round.
This activity is great for incorporating gross motor movement patterns such as: skipping, galloping, leaping, hopping, running (if outside), etc… for each round.
If a team is struggling, consider moving their starting point closer, allow time for several teams to succeed, or change the teams.
Variations:
Aside from using color groups rather than letter groups, there are many other things you can do to this game. for example, rather than have the entire team leaving at once, consider having the students take turns for each round or only send back individual students and not the whole team. Also, you could make a rule that once a student crosses the half court line they have to switch their movement pattern, wait for the rest of the team, etc.
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