What’s up Phys Ed Fam!
In this post I just wanted to share a super fun, no equipment instant activity with you that’s perfect for PE Class!
I didn’t create this original idea and have seen it so many different times I’m not sure who or where it came from, but it’s definitely a classic activity.
Everyone probably knows what an “entourage” is right?
You might even be familiar with the popular HBO show by the same name
It’s your squad, it’s a group of people.
It’s the kind of people you hang with and if you go somewhere, you know they have your back!
In this quick game that lasts about 2 minutes you can hit Good Sportsmanship, How to Play Rock Paper Scissors and also discuss with your students the power of their words in building confidence in others or taking it away.
Check out the video below for an example:
Let’s break down the rules of the game below
How To Play
The activity starts with everyone by themselves with no entourage. But every game that you win, you gain the opponent you beat and also if they have won any previous matches you gain their entourage as well.
Just like with Cone Flip Mixer, you start off facing off with one person – I have students raise their hand to signal they are ready to play.
Before playing I make sure to talk to my students about the correct way to play Rock Paper Scissors:
- Make Direct Eye Contact (No looking down at their hands)
- Stay on the beat and say the cues together – Rock – Paper – Scissors – Shoot (1, 2, 3, 4)
- Fist bump or High Five after the game and say “Good Game”
After demonstrating and practicing as a group together I do a check for understanding by asking the students to give me a thumbs up if they know how to play.
The winner is the best two out of three but you can certainly set your own criteria for winning.
The winner is going to go play another person. If you lose you join the winners “entourage” along with all of those who were in your entourage
After each game don’t forget to Be a Good Sport, give a fist bump or high five and say good game!
Just like we teach in Cone Flip Mixer, if you win you’re going to raise your hand and find another winner with their hands up.
If you beat someone with a large entourage, congratulations you earn their entourage as well!
The winner is the last person remaining.
Refinements to watch for if needed:
- Students playing the correct way (Eye Contact, Staying on Beat)
- Practice Our Good Sport Code – “After all, it’s just a game”
- An engaged entourage that is cheering on their classmate
Game Variations:
- If you want to add an exercise element you could have the Winner of each game choose to lead their entourage in an exercise
- Jog a Lap with your group, Do 10 pushups, Do 10 squats etc, Do a stretch for 20 seconds etc…
- If you want to integrate a skill you’re working on during the lesson that day you could have them perform a skill challenge instead
- Dribble 10 V-Dribbles with your group, Everyone make 10 Wall Chest Passes, Everyone make 10 Soccer Foot Passes to a partner etc
Closure:
After the game is over, I like to use the game as an illustration to talk to my students about the “power of their words”
The smallest comments can give someone the confidence they need to do their best, but you words can also take away their confidence if they are negative.
A common phrase I use to help kids reflect on this is thinking about “Is it Helpful or is it Hurtful”
That’s it!
I hope you enjoy playing the game
It’s a fun and easy instant activity that is fun for any grade or class size.
It’s also a chance to teach the life lesson of having someones back and using your words to build people up!
Students will feel empowered with twenty to thirty of their friends cheering them on!
PS – If you’re looking for more fun Instant Activities and Warmups Check Out This Post
Thanks for checking out this post!