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I created this version of
"Ships" by altering another version I was taught years
ago (learned from a friend while I was teaching at
SCICON Outdoor School...) I have no idea who the
original creator of this game was, or where the activity
came from. Many of the activities I learned at SCICON I
Iearned through word-of-mouth.
The original game was on
the subject of geology…and luckily, this is a game that
can very easily be adapted to whatever topic you need! I
used this game in a science camp program with mixed ages
of kids…It seemed to be particularly fun to the "middlers"…kids
from like 1st / 2nd grade through 4th / 5th …(before the
attitudes "I'm too cool play this dumb game" becomes an
issue…And old enough to understand all the concepts.)
But it really can be played with all ages, if done
enthusiastically!
PLAY:
Leader will shout out commands
(really ham it up!), with a certain action assigned to
each command--some commands will require the children
stopping where there are to perform them, others,
running to a "base" to do the action…(kids can run to
any base during a "base command"...just so long as they
are touching a base).
"Bases" set up to form boundary of playing area…can use
anything for base…something a number of children can
crowd around easily (baseball base sized piece of
cardboard will work nicely…I've also used 4 pillars of
the structure we were playing under.)
NOTES :
4 bases needed for this version
of "Ships"
No one is ever "out"…this is a noncompetitive game
Play ends when children/leader tire of the game…
COMMANDS:
"Comet"--run around w/in
boundaries, being careful not to touch any other comets!
"Planet"--stop where you are and
begin orbiting (travel in a circle around) the sun
(leader), while at the same time rotating (don't get
dizzy!)
"Nebula"--stop where you are and
float around SUPER SLOW-MOTION
"Constellation"--Quick! Get
together with at least 2 other people and create your
own constellation with your bodies (holding hands/legs
to form lines connecting stars)
"Galaxy"--get together w/ at least
2 other people and make your bodies into the shape of a
galaxy (eliptical or spiral)
BASE COMMANDS:
"Star"--run to a base and start
singing "twinkle twinkle little star" Try to sing all
together with your group ("twinkle" your hands)
"Meteor"--run to a base and point
up into the sky and say loudly "Hey look!! A shooting
star!!"
"Black hole"--run to a base and
fold your body up into a tight ball
"Supernova"--run to a base and
jump in the air, arms and legs out (cheerleader style)
and shout "BOOM!!"
OTHER COMMANDS:
"CAPTAIN ON DECK!!"-- (called very
loudly & authoritatively!)--everyone must stop where
they are & salute!
"At Ease"--game continues
FINAL NOTE:
I suggest going through the
commands in groups (i.e., regular commands, then base
commands, then other commands...) and have children
practice a few times before starting the game...But not
too much practice, since if they haven't gotten it by
the time you start playing, they will after a few
rounds. During the instructions is also a great time to
discuss why the commands are what they are...i.e., why
do we fold our bodies up tight for the "black hole"
command? etc. etc... |
