Games to Play With a Class of Second Graders

Crazy Ball Relays

• Play this game outdoors or in a large indoor area. Gather a variety of balls. Divide the second graders into two or relay three groups, then have each group form a line. To play the relay game, give first child in each line the same type of ball. Then, tell the children how to complete this portion of the relay.

  Children can pass a ball between their knees to the person behind them; bounce a ball to the child next in line; place a ball on their shoulder and hold it with their chin to pass to another child; walk like a crab and pass the ball with their feet; or push a ball their nose to the next child in line.

Yarn Formations

• Form small groups of second graders. Give each group a ball of yarn and plenty of floor or table room to work on. The children will use the yarn to spell out a word or form a number. This game will work for most topics.

  Write a math problem on the chalkboard and have second graders form the number answer. Have the children work together to form spelling list words. Ask children to form the name of a character in the daily reading story. Use this game to work the children's minds, as well as to develop small motor skills.

Inchworm Answers

• Have second graders form two or three teams. Each team will form an inchworm by standing in a line with children putting their hands on the waist of the person in front of them. Determine start and finish lines. Ask the first person of one team a question. A correct answer will allow the "inchworm" to move forward one step. Next, ask a question of the first person in the second team. When first child in each line has answered a question, ask questions of the second child, then third, until each child in every group has answered a question. At the end of the game, determine which "inchworm" has traveled the longest distance.

Cooperation Chain

• Build cooperation in your second graders. Make groups of two or more children. Provide each group with lots of strips of any type of paper, and clear tape for each group. On "go," second graders will work with their teammates to form a chain with the strips. If needed, show the children how to form and tape a strip of paper to make a circle link, then show them how to add another link and another, to make the chain longer. Determine the winners by length of chain or time it took to use up a certain number of paper strips.