PL 2.01Walking on the Line
Children walk heel-to-toe along an ellipse taped or painted on the floor, in a small group.
Presentation
- 1
Invite a small group: 'Come and see what I can do on the line.' Children sit around the outside of the ellipse.
- 2
Take off your shoes, if the class walks the line barefoot. Step onto the line.
- 3
Walk slowly, placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other foot, on the line.
- 4
Keep your arms relaxed at your sides and your eyes on the line a few steps ahead.
- 5
Walk once around the ellipse slowly. Placing the heel against the toe is the point of interest.
- 6
Step off, sit down, and invite one child at a time to step on the line and follow you, leaving space between walkers.
- 7
When everyone has walked, invite the children to step off and sit down.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Walk with arms held out to the sides, then with hands on the head
- Walk to music, changing speed with the music (slow, fast)
- Walk carrying a flag or a bell (see Carrying Objects on the Line)
- Walk backwards on the line
Control of error
The line: the child sees and feels when a foot steps off it.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Walks the full ellipse heel-to-toe without stepping off
- Keeps space from the child in front without being reminded
- Walks slowly and quietly when music or a guide asks