Activities for transitions

Here are some of my favourite activities for transitions between lessons, circle time or quick revision games. I always find these are great to refocus the class after break or yard time or to motivate the class following a tricky lesson. I’ve played these with classes from Junior Infants to 6th class with some minor adaptions.

Leader of the (silent) orchestra Challenge

Child A leaves the room, another child is chosen as the leader of the ‘silent’ orchestra. Child A returns.

The leader of the orchestra starts air playing an instrument. The rest of the class copy the leader of the orchestra. The leader of the orchestra can change instrument at any time. Child A needs to guess who the leader of the orchestra is.

Fruitbowl

Children are given a fruit e.g. banana, apple, pear Teacher calls a fruit and all children who are that fruit swap places.

When teacher calls ‘Fruitbowl’ everyone switches.

I went to the shop and I bought

First child starts with ‘I went to the shop and I bought an apple’

Second child ‘I went to the shop and I bought an apple and a banana’

Third child (repeats first and second child and adds their own)

Can be done alphabetically or on a chosen topic e.g. fruit/vegetables/animals/places etc.

A challenge is set for the class – can you put yourselves in order from the oldest to the youngest? By the month you were born? By the date and month you were born?

Pattern

Change seats to make a pattern

• Boy – girl

• Boy boy – girl girl

• Standing, sitting

• Backwards - forwards

• Stand on right leg/left leg

1/2/3 Magic Number

A ‘magic’ number is chosen e.g. 15

Each child can say 1/2/3 numbers

The child who has to say the magic number gets knocked out E.G.

Child A: 1,2,3

Child B: 4

Child C: 5,6

Child D: 7,8

Child E: 9,10,11

Child F: 12,13

Child G: 14

Child H: 15 – is knocked out

Game continues

Topic Challenge A-Z

Choose a category – every child has to name something in alphabetical order e.g. Places

Child 1: America Child 2: Belgium Child 3: Cork

A topic is chosen e.g. Countries

Every child has to name a country – no repetition and if you can’t name one you get knocked out

One child stands in the middle of the circle. Two children have to swap seats across the circle – the child in the middle can try to take one of their seats before they can swap. (This would work best in smaller circles)

Start letter – end letter

Topic/category is chosen

One child starts and says a word that fits in with the topic e.g. Food

First child says a word – next child has to say a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word

Child A: banana

Child B: apple

Child C: egg

Child D: grapes

Child E: sausages

Sausages

This game can work with any word but sausages is my favourite. One child stands with their back to the circle (so they can’t see the group)

Another child is chosen and says the word ‘sausages’ in a disguised voice.

The child (outside the circle) has to guess who said it.

Sort the cards – in order

Each child in the class is given a card with a digit or letter or word on it. The children have to get themselves in order from smallest to biggest number or in alphabetical order.

Find someone in the class

• who has the same number of siblings.

• who lives in a house with an even number

• who supports the same team

• who plays the same sport

Pass the noisy object

A noisy object e.g. a set of keys/ a musical instrument such as a maraca

One child is chosen to be on – they stand in the middle of the circle with their eyes closed (a blindfold can be used). The noisy object is passed quickly around the circle in any direction. The children in the circle need to pass the object as quietly as possible. The child who is on has to turn around in the circle and point to the person with the object.

Rhythm name

Children begin a clapping rhythm - hands on lap x2 followed by clap x2 (lap lap, clap, clap)

Give the children time to get the rhythm right. The rhythm continues throughout.

Teacher starts: lap lap and says their name e.g. lap lap Ni amh (on the claps) (Name is split into 2 syllables) and then move around the circle with each child taking their turn.

Next child: lap lap Ste phen (on the claps)

Next child: lap lap Ha rry(on the claps)

Next child: lap lap Li ly (on the claps)

As an extension: The rhythm continues. Teacher says their name when they tap their lap and then calls another person when they clap.

For example

Ni amh Ste phen (lap lap) (clap clap)

Then Stephen repeats his name while tapping his lap and calls someone else.

Ste phen Ha rry (lap lap) (clap clap)

Two children are called, the teacher calls out a country and the first child to say the capital is the winner. They move to the next round, the other child is knocked out.

To make it more tricky- call the capital and the children have to name the country. To make it easier, children can use their atlas to help them.

These are a brilliant way for children to develop their problem solving skills.

Five JACK Wish

Multiples challenge Stop the bus

Children draw a grid on their whiteboard/in their copy with 5/6 categories such as name, place, country, animal, food/drink.

A letter is called out and the children quickly write down something for each category starting with the letter. The first child to finish calls out ‘Stop the bus’ and everyone must stop writing. The scores are then calculated. (10 points for each category, 5 points if someone else has the same word, 15 points if no one else has an answer for the category.) The winner is the person with the highest score at the end.

Children use a whiteboard or their copy. A number (2-12) is called out and a timer of 20/30 seconds is set. The children quickly write down the multiples of that number and go as high as they can. This is a great maths starter and a perfect way to revise tables. There is no competition etc.

As a follow on/additional challenge the teacher might ask how many multiples did you get? The children could count the multiples or they could use division to find the answer.

Have an early night

Listen to music

Book a short break

Buy yourself some flowers

Get a delicious take away

Meet friends

Go for a walk

Go shopping

Self Care Ideas

Have a long hot shower

Go outside

Phone a friend

Meditate

Phone a friend

Watch some TV

Buy yourself some new pyjamas

Go out for a nice meal