Activity 01
Small Groups: Kho-Kho Relay Challenge
Divide the class into four teams on the playground. Mark three zones with chalk for chasers and runners. Each team plays two rounds, tagging opponents while calling 'kho'. Discuss teamwork and speed after each round.
Identify traditional Indian games played in your region or by your elders.
Facilitation TipDuring Kho-Kho Relay Challenge, arrange two parallel lines of cones so students run clear, equal distances and avoid collisions.
What to look forAsk students to draw a picture of themselves playing a traditional Indian game. Underneath, they should write two sentences describing what they are doing and one skill they are using.
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Activity 02
Pairs: Regional Game Hunt
Students interview family members about local traditional games. In pairs, they note rules, materials, and skills on a chart. Pairs demonstrate one game to the class with simple props.
Analyze the skills developed by playing traditional games like Kho-Kho or Kabaddi.
Facilitation TipFor Regional Game Hunt, provide a map of India with labeled states so pairs easily locate their assigned regions during the activity.
What to look forFacilitate a class discussion using these prompts: 'What is one rule of Kabaddi that is different from football?' and 'How does playing Kho-Kho help you become a better runner?'
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Activity 03
Whole Class: Traditional vs Modern Showdown
Play a quick round of Tag (modern) followed by Stapoo (traditional). As a class, create a T-chart listing rules, equipment, and skills for both. Vote on similarities and vote on favourites.
Compare the rules and objectives of a traditional game with a modern game.
Facilitation TipIn Traditional vs Modern Showdown, prepare a large shared chart with columns for rules, skills, and values so the whole class can see comparisons clearly.
What to look forProvide students with a slip of paper. Ask them to list one traditional game they learned about and one reason why playing these games is good for them.
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Activity 04
Individual: Skills Diary Entry
After playing a game, each student draws their favourite moment and lists two skills used, like dodging or aiming. Share one entry in a class circle.
Identify traditional Indian games played in your region or by your elders.
What to look forAsk students to draw a picture of themselves playing a traditional Indian game. Underneath, they should write two sentences describing what they are doing and one skill they are using.
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Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Teachers should start with local games students already know to build confidence, then introduce less familiar ones like Mallakhamb for variety. Avoid assuming uniform rules; instead, show how geography shapes play. Research suggests hands-on trials followed by structured reflection help students transfer learning from playground to classroom.
Successful learning looks like students confidently explaining rules, demonstrating skills, and articulating how these games build fitness and teamwork. They should compare traditional and modern games with clear examples and self-reflect on their own growth.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
During Kho-Kho Relay Challenge, watch for students who dismiss the game as 'just running.'
After the relay, ask each team to list two non-running skills they used, such as dodging or timing, to redirect their focus to the game's strategy.
During Regional Game Hunt, students may claim all games have the same rules everywhere.
Hand out blank India maps during the activity and ask pairs to mark rule differences they find, such as Hadudu in Bengal versus Kho-Kho in Maharashtra, to challenge uniformity assumptions.
During Traditional vs Modern Showdown, students might think traditional games only build physical skills.
During the discussion, ask students to point to moments in Kabaddi or Gilli-Danda where they made quick decisions, then record these on a shared chart to link physical action with mental skill.
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