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Science (EVS K-5) · Class 3

Active learning ideas

Games We Play

Let's tap into our students' love for play by exploring the different games they enjoy, from the strategic moves in Carrom to the energetic chase of Kho-Kho.

CBSE Learning OutcomesNCERT EVS Class 3: Sub-theme - Work and Play
20–40 minPairs → Whole Class3 activities

Activity 01

Stations Rotation20 min · Whole Class

Game Charades

A student picks a chit with a game's name (like cricket or ludo) and acts it out without speaking. The rest of the class has to guess the game, and then identify if it is an indoor or outdoor game.

Explain the rules of your favourite game.

Facilitation TipPrepare chits with simple, commonly known games to ensure all students can participate successfully.

What to look forUse an exit ticket where students have to write the name of one indoor and one outdoor game that was not discussed in class.

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Activity 02

Stations Rotation40 min · Small Groups

Design a New Game

In small groups, students invent a new game, deciding if it's indoor or outdoor, what equipment is needed, and what the main rules are. They can then draw their game and present it to the class.

Compare an indoor game with an outdoor game.

Facilitation TipProvide a simple template with prompts like 'Game Name', 'Number of Players', and 'Rule 1' to guide their thinking.

What to look forA simple worksheet with two columns, 'Indoor' and 'Outdoor'. Students have to sort a given list of games (e.g., Ludo, Cricket, Chess, Hide-and-seek) into the correct column.

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Activity 03

Stations Rotation25 min · Pairs

Venn Diagram Sort

Draw two large overlapping circles on the board, one for 'Indoor Games' and one for 'Outdoor Games'. Students come up and place picture cards of different games in the correct section, discussing why they placed it there.

Identify a game that can be played alone and a game that needs a team.

Facilitation TipInclude a few games that could be both, like 'skipping', to spark discussion about the overlapping section.

What to look forStudents complete a 'K-W-L' chart (What I Know, What I Want to Know, What I Learned) about games at the beginning and end of the topic.

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Templates

Templates that pair with these Science (EVS K-5) activities

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A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin by asking students to share their favourite game to build a personal connection. Use picture cards and real-world examples of Indian games to make concepts clear. Guide them to compare games using simple criteria like 'place played', 'number of players', and 'equipment needed' before they work in pairs or groups.

Through these activities, students will learn to classify games, understand the importance of rules, and appreciate how playing together helps them learn and grow.


Watch Out for These Misconceptions

  • Games are only for fun and not for learning.

    Games are a great way to learn! They teach us to follow rules, work in a team, solve problems, and stay healthy.

  • Only outdoor games that involve running are good exercise.

    While running games are great for our body, many indoor games like carrom or even some video games help exercise our brain, improve concentration, and develop hand-eye coordination.

  • You can change the rules of a game whenever you are losing.

    Rules are important because they make the game fair for everyone. We must agree on the rules before we start playing so everyone has an equal chance to win.


Methods used in this brief