This year I was fortunate enough to be introduced by Sean De Morton (​@mr_d_pe ) to Mark Collard from Playmeo.com. Instantly Playmeo became a game changer in my PhysEd Classroom. Rather than my students being exposed to the same old tag games that they had played over and over and over again Playmeo was able to breed life into my repetitive and predicable commencement. 

My students deserved to be inspired- they deserved to place into their treasure chest new gold- they deserved to be motivated by new and fresh games that made them giggle and wiggle in anticipation of what is next.

After being at Camp PhysEd with Sean and seeing him play his 'ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS' World Championships I was sold that I had found something so new and fresh that I was even able to use it at Staff meetings to engage and connect teachers. Mark Collard was able to connect the dots after I joined in on a session that he led at the recent ACHPER Victoria Primary Conference. 

It is with great pleasure that I bring to you my TOP 5 PLAYMEO picks so far this year.

No. 5- Rock, Paper, Scissors
Version 1: In this game  participants are asked to find a partner and have an old fashioned game of rock, paper, scissors. The winner would get bragging rights but both players had to turn and run to touch a sidewall in order to reset before 'ROCKING OFF' again.

Version 2: In this game participants are asked to find a partner again and have another game of rock, paper, scissors. This time the loser would stay in the game but would have to take a knee. You objective was to beat your opponent so they were left lying on their back. The order of progression was: Lose once- on a knee, lose twice- on two knees, lose three times- on your bottom, lose four times- on your back, lose 5 times- GAME OVER. However in this version if you won a rock off then you would move back up the progression order.

Version 3: In this game participants are asked to find a partner again and have yet another game of rock, paper, scissors. However this time the loser would stand behind the winner and would need to start barracking for them. This would result in long 'Conga' style lines that would inevitably result in the final two players in the class have a rock off all the while their screaming fans all trying to pump them up.

No. 4- Around the Cities- (Set, Go)
This is an addictive game that involves lots of movements, fast hands and a desire to go around the world as many times as you can. Start by nominating four Cities and locate them at the sides and ends of a basketball court. Students start by facing each other with their hands behind their back. One person says "SET" at which time both players old out the number of fingers they are going to play with (kept hidden from their opponent). The other person will then say "GO" at which time both players will bring their hands from behind their back and show their fingers to the other person. The first person to add all the fingers up and yet the number wins this match. The winner moves to the next City and the other person remains to play again. If a person plays three rounds in the one city without winning them they automatically move to the next city.

Variations: Use Multiplication and for younger students just use one hand. 

No. 3- Finding Nemo
So many laughs and so much anticipation. Standing in a circle the leader runs around the outside and taps one child in the shoulder just once. When ready the leader will yell go and all students must great each other with "Hi are you Nemo?" Students will answer No, including Nemo to start with. After 5 answers of No Nemo is asked to answer quietly, Yes I am Nemo. If another student discovers this they must line up behind Nemo as quick as they can. 

ADD in Dory- Start the same way but this time, TWO taps defines who Dory is. Dory gets confused. Therefore when asked if you are Nemo, Dory may answer yes and get a line of students standing behind them only to then turn and say "Sorry I am Dory"- This stage continues until Nemo is discovered and all students line up behind Nemo.

ADD Bruce- Start the same way but this time, THREE taps defines who Bruce is. Bruce's role is to determine who is Nemo and line up as close to the front of the line as they can once they work out who Nemo is. The idea here is that everyone that is behind BRUCE in the line is LUNCH!!


No. 2- Velcro Circles
This game is the attention grabber. With a quick yell of Velcro Circles students move in nice and close and stick their arms to one another at the same time making a beautiful Velcro sound (not to be confused with the sound of getting ready to spit). From here students can take two-step back and place both hands on their hips and sing the tune of a great Superhero. After achieving this students are take another two steps back and place both hands out to the sides, stand on one foot and lean forward making the sound of an airplane. Understanding these three locations and poses is crucial to the success of the game. The leader should verbally yell the three different poses in random order to energise and motivate the class. As they get used to the calls start progressing faster and faster. 

This game always ends of laughter!!!


No. 1- Moon Ball
One of my favourite games when we are waiting for all students to enter the Gymnasium for class. The Moon Ball (Beach ball) is hit but a student who will then try and pass to another student. As more students enter the gym the more coverage a class can achieve with this game. 

Variation- Add a second ball into the game.


Thats it team- My Top 5 games from Playmeo.com 

If you like what you see and would love to save a little $$$$ off full subscription then please feel free to use the code mrhair2016

Until my next Top 5 Blog- Love your PhysEd
 

Welcome to my new blog post titled 'Top 5 Blog'. Within this blog I will be attempting to share my Top 5 in a variety of platforms to help others narrow down difficult choices or open up others minds to endless possibilities. 

Stay tuned to my first Top 5 this weekend.