On the Porch, In the Yard, In the House

Introduction
Students need time to be active. This game allows students to move around and burn off some physical energy while practicing listening skills.

Learning Objective
Students practice listening and speaking by giving and responding to directions with a physical response.

Materials

• A long piece of rope, yarn, or tape. If the game is being played outside, a staff member can draw a long line with chalk

Activity

1. The staff member lays out a long piece of rope or yarn in a straight line along the floor and explains the directions.
2. The students all line up on one side of the rope. This side is referred to as “On the Porch.”
3. When the leader shouts, “In the Yard,” students must jump to the other side of the rope.
4. When the shouts, “In the House,” students must place one foot on either side of the rope.
5. The leader randomly rotates through ‘on the porch,’ ‘in the yard,’ and ‘in the house,’ getting progressively faster, as the students jump from one side to the other.
6. Students who jump on the wrong side at the wrong time are out.
7. Allow students who are “out” to take turn calling out directions.
8. The last student who has successfully followed every direction wins.

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