Good Gym Game, especially for Grade 4s who do Medieval Times in Social Studies.

Could be modified for other grade levels, like Grade 5: say "Mummies, Pyramids and
Archeologists: Just use 3 different artifacts and invent 3 other positions.

Knights, Castles and Cavaliers: played with a partner

(Thanks to Deborah Davidson who generously shared this game and gave permission to share with you!)

This game is fast paced and loads of fun. My students ask for it often. It’s a good warm
up or can be used for the 20 minutes of D.P.A. You can easily do it 3 or 4 times in 20
minutes. When teaching the game I use 3 pairs of volunteers to model the 3 correct
positions, and then we play a mini version with 6 students.

Students form 2 circles, inner and outer, with the partner being in the other circle. The 2
circles run in opposite directions, (1 clockwise, the 2nd counter- clockwise)

Four commands (given below in bold) direct this game and, like Musical Chairs, when
the command signal is given, the last pair to successfully meet and form the configuration
is out. Those "out" help the leader to decide the next pair that is subsequently out and so
on. Reckless behaviour is automatically out for the duration of that individual game, and
explained before you begin.

1. When the leader calls "Cavaliers" the pair must find each other quickly. One of the
pair goes on hands and knees like a horse, while the other sits astride the "horse", just like
knighted horsemen called Cavaliers. The astride player stands and bears their weight on
their own feet, never actually sitting on the kneeling player.

2. When the leader calls "Knights" the pair must find each other quickly. One of the pair
goes on one bended knee like a knight, while the other faces the kneeling knight and lays
his or her hand on the shoulder of their partner, just like a squire being knighted by his
Lord.

3. When the leader calls "Castles" the pair must find each other quickly. One of the pair
stands on one leg, while the other leg is gently held by their partner forming a
drawbridge. Some years I teach the students to have one kneel and the other gently place
their leg on top of the kneeling student's back.

4. As already explained, the 2 circles run in opposite directions, (1 clockwise, the 2nd
counter- clockwise)

When the leader (odd number of students) or teacher (even numbered student body) calls
"Switch" all students run in the opposite direction to the one they were previously
running. (Counter switches to clockwise, etc.)

This Switch command is just to add an extra level of complexity and can be left out if you
choose, especially when first teaching the game.

I hope your students enjoy this as much as mine do!