Keep Playing Week 24
Game of the Week: Concentration Ball
This week Playworks is featuring a fun activity to test your memory on a variety of fun topics.
Skill Focus:
Playing Fair: Making sure games are played honestly and equitably so that all students can enjoy participating.
Play In-Person
Play Virtually
Simplified Game Instructions
# of people to play: 3+
Best for ages: 6+
Setup/Teaching Time: 3 minutes
Equipment needed: optional small ball or tossable object (this game can also be played using an “imaginary ball”)
Goal: To say as many items within the selected category without repeating what a classmate says.
How to Play:
- Pick a theme such as animals, cars, sports, colors, fruits, musicians, etc.
- One person starts and says something that fits the theme (such as “cat,” if the theme were animals), then says the name of someone in the class, who goes next.
- If you are using a ball, the player will say something that fits the theme, then say the name of someone in the class and toss the ball to them. That person then goes next.
- That person must say the name of a different person/object/animal in the theme, followed by the name of another player.
- After a player’s turn, they cross their arms on their chest so others know that they already had a turn.
- Answers may not be repeated and players only have 3 seconds to respond.
- If a player repeats an answer or can’t complete their turn in the allotted time, they must say the name of another player and/or pass the ball to them, and then complete 5 jumping jacks before rejoining the game.
- Once three people get stuck and can no longer think of an example from that category, switch to a new theme.
Game Debrief
- How did it feel if you were unable to think of an item that fit within the correct category?
- How did you make sure that you were playing fair?
- How did it feel if you noticed a classmate was not playing fair?
Game Modifications
Academic Applications
- Select themes or categories based on things you are studying in class (ex. states, capitals, multiples, etc.)
Modification for Physical Abilities
- Consider sitting on the floor and rolling the ball or rolling the ball to the next person on a table.
Challenge Ideas
- Set a time limit for a group and see how many different items within the theme the group can name!
Brain Break: Partner to Partner
How to Play
- On your signal, students ‘mingle’ around the classroom or other play space. Students can skip, ‘tightrope walk,’ hop or sing a song while walking – get creative!
- When they hear your signal again, students must find a partner and freeze in a double air high five position. This is now their Double Air High Five partner!
- Ask students to practice their Double Air High Five with their partner and remember who this partner is. Then give the signal for students to mingle again.
- Have students find another partner and freeze in a double air high five a few more times. Each time they find a new partner, give students a new task.
- Example = Secret Handshake partner, Silly Dance Move partner, Toe Tap partner, Words of Affirmation partner.
- Once students have met all of their partners and practiced their actions, challenge their memory! As students mingle, call out partner types and see how quickly they can find each partner and do their action.
- Modification: after practicing their action, give students a few moments with each partner to share a fun fact about themselves or something they learned that day.
Additional Resources
Sample School Community Announcement
For the month of March we are focusing on the theme of relationship skills. Relationship skills help you navigate the complexity of relating to and building connections with others.
Playing fair is our focus this week. Playing fair means holding yourself accountable to the rules of a game, even when it’s possible not to, to ensure play is equitable for all involved. One way to practice these skills is to play our featured game of the week, Concentration Ball. In Concentration Ball, there are several opportunities in each round to show off fair play.
Teach students to play in class, and then empower them to lead the game and teach others!
Core Recess Game
In addition to our Keep Playing Game of the Week, we’re sharing bi-weekly Core Recess Games that will help kids be active, practice leadership, maximize recess time, and have fun.
This week’s game is ULTIMATE BALL!
Return to the Keep Playing Homepage for archives of past weeks and other helpful resources.