Weather Vane/Jump Whistle

  1. Indoor Game
  2. Readiness Games

  • Large Group (10 and up)

  • Grades 1-2

  • None

  • Less Than 10 minutes

Development Goal

Learn basic geographical directions and orientation

Before You Start

  • Point and call out to students the four compass directions, have the students repeat and point out the directions North, South, East and West.
  • Practice jumping and facing the compass directions as they are called, be sure that everyone understands the position of the compass direction called out.
  • Review boundaries, being mindful and aware of space.
  • Review rules, ask for questions.

Set Up

Outside home base area or Classroom

How to Play

  • Have students scatter out in the designated play area or classroom.
  • Call out a compass direction, and have students jump in place making the necessary turn in the air to face the direction called.
  • Make sure that all kids are rotating in the same direction.
  • If a child is already facing the compass direction that is called, you can have them do one or two things such as still jump and land in correct position or they are not to jump at all.
  • If a student is facing in the wrong direction or jumping when not supposed to s/he is out. S/he can get back in after sitting out a round or doing an exercise to get back in.

Variations

  • Can be used as jump rope game with a large jump rope or small jump ropes.
  • Add a “reverse” command.
  • Add movements as a visual cue rather than a blowing your whistle

Jump Whistle Style:

  • Have all students face forward. Each time the coach blows the whistle, the children are to jump one time towards the right (moving in a square, 4 jumps and they are back facing you).
    • Two whistles and their backs are to you, three whistles and they are facing your right.
  • You can alternate the whistle blows (e.g. one, two, three, two, one, three, two, or four).
  • If a child is not facing the correct way, s/he must do 5 jumping jacks to rejoin the game.