CHAPTER 5
CO-OPERATIVE GAMES
The biggest difference between competitive and cooperative games is the elimination
factor . In cooperative activities , the students increase self esteem , are supportive with
others , worry less about failure and allows everybody to succeed . The main concern
isn’t elimination , but the desire to build respect while working together to play just for
the fun of it .
Whisper – The students are arranged in personal space, and on a signal, move in any safe
direction whispering (team, team, team ) .* Call out a math number(5+2) , which the
students must correctly maintain in small groups in various positions ( sitting , kneeling,
back to back, etc.) * Any student left without a group is challenged with an exercise or
task .* Call out new math numbers each time .
Content : Co-operation , integration , locomotor skills
Equipment : None
Elbow tag –* Choose 2-3 taggers to be It .* On a signal , the students safely run away
from the taggers .* If tagged , they must hook elbows with one of the It’s . Only the ends
may tag .* Play until there are 2-3 players , who will restart the activity .* As a variation
change the size of the area or add /subtract the number of taggers .* Use rip tags instead
of a hand tag
Content : Co-operation , locomotor skills , aerobic endurance
Equipment : Rip tags and belts , strips of cloth or tube socks in back pockets
Circle Chase –* Arrange the students in small circles of 6-8 players .* Choose one person
to be the runner , who starts in the middle of the circle while the chaser starts outside of
the circle .* The circle “guards “ are locked (wrist to wrist) and may move in any circular
direction.* If the arms are raised , the runner goes under the arms of the circle players
while the chaser tries to tag the runner.* If tagged , the players change positions .
*Choose new runners and chasers often .
Content : Co-operation , safety , agility , decision making skills
Equipment : None
Locomotion - * The students are aligned in groups of five in line formation with either
hands on shoulders or at waist level .* Place a traffic cone in front of the groups about
twenty feet away .* Their job is to circle the cone without losing their grip .* Set a time
limit for each group and repeat to beat a previous performance.* As a variation , use
game jerseys instead of body contact .* Or make the distance shorter or longer.
Content : Co-operation , directional skills , safety
Equipment : Game jerseys , traffic cones
Musical Hoops –* Place one colored hoop in front of each student who are in a circle
formation about arms length apart .* Play upbeat music to move the students around the
circle .* When the music stops , call out a color , and that student who is behind that color
must jump in and out five times .* This will provide a task to re-enter the game without
any elimination .* As a variation , take one hoop away each time without calling a color .
*Any student without a hoop may join another student at their hoop . At each turn , take
one hoop away .* When there are five hoops remaining , all students must be touching
some part of the hoop ( hands, arms, elbows , feet )* Use circled jump ropes instead of
hoops
Content : Co-operation , agility , decision making skills
Equipment : Hula hoops , Music (CD) , jump ropes
Driving School - * The students are arranged with a partner with one partner inside a
hoop and the other holding the hoop at waist level .* The front person is blindfolded with
a mask or eyes closed .* The back seat driver must guide the front person around the
floor and traffic cones without bumping into another group .* The verbal commands or
controlling the hoop will guide their cars safely throughout the area.* Change positions
often and other partners .* Use traffic cones as obstacles
Content : Co-operation , trust , pathway avoidance , listening skills , teamwork
Equipment: Hulu hoops , cones
Popcorn –* Arrange the class into a large circle about arms length apart . This will be the
frying pan to make popcorn .* Use cooking instructions for the students to simulate the
final product of making popcorn :
- The pan is hot – hop on one foot
- Adding oil – hop on two feet
- Turn up the heat – jump in any direction
- Kernels – flap arms up and down
- Popcorn – jump high in the air
*As a variation , add more cooking commands ,such as butter ( hot feet sizzling) and caramel ( two students sticking together ) .
Content : Co-operation, listening skills
Equipment : None
Balloon Bopp –* Arrange the students in 5-8 small circles with one balloon for each
group.* On a signal or music( Up ,Up and Away ) , they will try to keep the balloon
afloat using any body part.* But, the students must hook elbows or hold wrists for each
successful volley.* As a variation , use different types equipment ( beach ball ,
volleyball or plastic ball ) .* Use spelling lists or math problems for volley skills
Content : Co-operation , team work , manipulative skills , integration
Equipment : Helium balloons, beach ball , plastic balls , volleyball trainer ,Music CD
In the News –* Hand out a folder newspaper between partners . Arrange traffic cones
throughout the area as turning lines .* The newspaper is placed between the partners on
designated body parts ( elbow, hip, back , shoulder , knee ) .* Travel to different cones
without losing control of the newspaper .* Utilize safe pathways and directional
patterns to provide cooperation and following directions .
Content : Co-operation , teamwork , pathway avoidance ,follow directional patterns
Equipment : Newspaper , traffic cones
Jingle Ball –* Give each student a ball or one between two partners . Use dribbling skills
to make a musical , Christmas selection ( Jingle Bells ) .* Establish the following a
pattern to make the progression successful .( dribble fast three times with the right hand ,
repeat with the left hand , and then one very fast .)* Repeat several times to complete a
class rendition of a famous Christmas classic.* As variation , with one ball between
partners , the ball is handed to the partner each time to conclusion .
Content : Co-operation , manipulative skills , teamwork , listening /follow directions
Equipment : Basketballs , soccer balls ,volleyballs
Spinning Hoops – * The students are arranged with partners and one hoop . One partner
spins the hoop .* Establish various tasks to be performed before the hoop stops . ( balance
on one foot , ten jumping jacks , five curl –ups, ten hops , five crab kicks ) .* As a
variation , place a piece of equipment near each hoop ( basketball , jump rope, Frisbee,
deck ring, beach ball , balloon , etc. ).* Establish a task to be performed before the hoop
stops rotating .* After each turn , move to a new hoop and equipment.
Content : Co-operation , teamwork, manipulative skills , safety awareness , balance skills, aerobic endurance
Equipment : Hula hoops , jump rope , Frisbee , deck ring, balloon
Countdown –*Arrange the class with partners about arms length apart* Establish a
countdown sequence ( 10 –1 ) ,which all partners must perform before the time expires *
Call out different body parts ( elbow to elbow , knee to knee , etc. ) and when the
countdown starts they all mix to find a new partner.* All partners should be in position
before the countdown ends . * Call out a new body part each time . * Challenge them to
beat a previously timed performance.
Content : Co-operation , teamwork , directional skills , pathway avoidance ,safety
Equipment : None
Gotcha –* Arrange the class into (6-8) small circles.* Choose one person to be” It” with
one ball .* Throw the ball safely to any person in the circle .* A” Gotcha” is when the
leader feigns tossing the ball to a person .* If that person attempts to catch the ball , and
moves their arms , constitutes changing positions with It. * As a variation , use different
types of equipment and the method of tossing ( rolling, one bounce , no bounce )
Content : Co-operation , manipulative skills
Equipment : Plastic ball , wiffle ball , volleyball , soccer ball
Circus Cage –* The class is arranged in small circles with one ball .* Their legs should
be shoulder width apart . *Start the activity by slapping the ball around the cage of
circled players , who attempt to block the ball from leaving the circle . No ball may be
caught , only slapped away . Any ball( circus animal) that leaves the circle is replaced
quickly before the ring master stops the action .
Content : Co-operation , teamwork , manipulative skills
Equipment : Plastic safety ball, foam or Gator balls
Throw in the towel –* Hand out one beach towel or towel between two partners.
.Another partner group is arranged a few feet away .* Place one ball on a towel ,which is
tossed into the other group’s towel .* Each group tries to toss the ball back and forth
trying to spell a word , alphabet or math problem.* As a variation , exchange partner
groups for more variety and cooperation .* Change the distance between partners .* Use a
different type of equipment.
Content : Co-operation , teamwork, manipulative skills , integration
Equipment : Beach towels , blankets , bath towels , sheets