Rubber Chicken Does Math

Skill: Jump, Run, Strike
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the play area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Equipment: 1 Rubber Chicken per team (or use another object such as a baton or pool noodle).
12 or more cones.
Pylons or rope (if needed for boundaries)
Objective:
For participants to hit the cone with the correct number(s) using the rubber chicken before the other team succeeds.
Other Skills:
Speed
Set up:
Divide participants into two teams (ideally, each team will have 5-7 participants each). If there are a lot of participants in the group, have two games going on at once, or have three or more teams going against each other.
Each cone will have a number from 0-9 written on it, or on a piece of paper taped to the cone.
Set up the cones in a horizontal line at one end of the gym, or in an empty space in the play area. Mix up the order of the numbers.
Set up one cone for each team that is around 15 meters away from the numbered cones, this is the starting spot.
Step by Step:
1. The two teams will line up horizontally along a line at a designated line that is around 15 meters from the cones.
2. The first two participants for each team will stand at the starting spot (cone) for their team, with their backs to the numbered cones and with a rubber chicken in hand.
3. The leader, who can be standing on the side between the teams and numbered cones, will call out a mathematical equation.
4. The two participants with the rubber chickens, will turn around and run to the numbered cones and hit the cone with the correct answer with the rubber chicken.
5. When a team hits the correct cone, the leader will call out "Correct team "A"", and team A will get a point.
6. Then the leader will tell the team that lost that round an exercise that they have to do.
7. "Team B, do 10 jumping jacks", "Team B, do 5 push ups", "Team B, do 7 burpees", or "Team B, do 8 sit ups" etc.
8. The next two participants in line, will stand at their cone with their back to the numbered cones with the rubber chicken in hand.
9. Continue for a set amount of time, or until a team has scored a set amount of points.
10. An example: The leader says "6 + 2...Go!", then the two participants will run to the cones, and the first participant to hit the cone with '8' on it, wins that round.
11. For older participants, the leader can use addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.
12. If the solution to the equation is two numbers, then the participants will have to hit the two numbers in correct order. For example, if the leader says "5 x 5...Go!", then participants will run and have to hit the '2' cone and then the '5' cone, since 5x5 is 25.
Variations:
Have the teams standing on opposite sides of the gym or play area, and place the cones in the centre.
Use a soccer ball or dodgeball instead, and the participants have to kick or roll the ball to knock over the right cone.
After each round, or after a couple rounds, switch the order of the cones.

Adaptations (General):
Punish losing teams with exercises that correspond with the abilities and strengths of participants.

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Have another team member guide participants who are blind or isually impaired with running to the cones. Note that it should be the low-vision participant who comes up with an answer to the equation and who determines which cone the pair should run to.

Adaptations (Cognitive/Learning Impairment):
It may be difficult for participants with a cognitive limitation to come up with the answer to a mathematical equation on the fly. Provide simple equations for these participants and offer additional assistance as it is needed.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.