Graded Games for Schools and Community Recreation
The Indoor Recreation Work is given in the form of plays and games.
While the plays and games listed have been carefully arranged and graded with a view to adapting them to the schoolroom, many of them are suited to playground, hall and gymnasium use.
It is suggested that at least one game period a day be given out of doors during the pleasant weather.
1. Teacher should be familiar with the game before giving it.
2. Teach by imitation in the story-plays and rhythm, as best results come from the teacher playing with the children.
3. Be sure that the air is fresh when giving a game.
4. In every rest period give a breathing exercise.
5. See that all the children have a part in the game.
6. Upon the spirit which the teacher puts into it, depends the success of the game.
Story Plays are imitations of well-known activities. They may be experiences related to home activities, the surroundings near the home, the season and to school work.
Capitalize the child's imagination and experience as a basis for developing Story Plays, keeping in mind the types of exercise necessary to give the children the proper amount of exercise.
The following is illustrative of the forms of exercise to be found in a story play:
Stretching--Reach up high. Take your coat and hat.
Leg movement--Walk quickly (skip) to the woods. (Each two rows walk around one row of desks.)
Head exercise--Look up at the bright autumn leaves.
Arm exercise--Raise your arms and touch them.
Trunk and Arm exercise--Rake the fallen leaves. (Lean forward, bending body forward to either side.)
Knee Bending--Run and jump into the pile of leaves.
Home activities--Washing, ironing, baking, sewing, sweeping, dusting.
Industrial Activities--Fireman, soldier, shoemaker, blacksmith, carpenter, etc.
Fall--Nutting, Thanksgiving, Jack Frost, gathering apples, etc.
Winter--Christmas Toys, Snow Fort, Valentine Day, Washington's Birthday.
Spring--Flying Kites, making a garden, trees in a storm.
Summer--The Playground, swimming, picking flowers, a day at the circus.
Correlate rhythmic exercises with the reading language and nature work. The movements may be executed to music, Victrola or piano being used.
Walking fast Walking slow Jumping Running Ringing bell Marching Hopping Clapping Beating drum Blowing bubbles Fairies skipping Birds flying Boats sailing Blowing bugle Blowing up a balloon Climbing a steep hill Imitate a steam engine Smell the pretty rose Galloping horses Hammering Rabbits jumping Ducks waddling Skating Raking garden Rowing boat Bouncing ball Throwing snowballs Elephant's walk Giant striding Goose waddle Turkey strutting Indian walking Walk like a dwarf Crow like a rooster Breathe in the fresh air Blow a feather in the air