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Physical Education

Body Letters

Overview

Children use their whole body to make the shape of a letter or number called by the teacher.

Learning Objective
Children develop body awareness and creativity by making letter and number shapes with their bodies.

Resources needed

  • Open space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Call a letter (e.g. 'T') — children make that shape with their body.
  2. 2 Try letters that involve different body positions: I (stand straight), O (make a circle with arms), X (arms and legs wide).
  3. 3 Progress to pairs making one letter together.
  4. 4 Groups of three make a word.
  5. 5 Others guess the letter or word.
  6. 6 Try numbers too.
  7. 7 Children take turns calling letters for the class to make.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Make animal shapes instead of letters.
  • Spell a short word as a group sequence.
  • Photograph the shapes if a phone is available.
More information

Cross-curricular with literacy. Works in any language — the shapes are universal. Children can call letters in their home language.

Focus on simple shapes: I, L, T, O, V. Pairs or groups make it achievable for children who find individual shapes difficult.

Are children using their whole body or just their arms? Do they hold the shape still for others to see?

No resources needed. Works anywhere with floor space.

Children move too quickly between shapes. Teach them to hold each shape still for a count of three so others can see it clearly.

Body letters link physical education with literacy development. They also build spatial awareness and body control.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 15 minutes no prep Solo, Pairs, Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Movement Creativity Body Awareness