Here’s a fun but “chop chop” approach to numeracy lessons named Straight Line Kung Fu. It was inspired by a kung fu lesson I watched in China.
With the class, decide on actions for parallel, perpendicular, diagonal, horizontal and vertical (adding on the angle vocabulary in further sessions).
Pupils stand up straight with their arms by their sides waiting for the first command. The caller shouts “Parallel!” and the pupils make the corresponding movement and call out “Huh!”
Then the caller shouts another command and so on. You could even end with a bow.
Kate Cullen teaches at Turnfurlong Junior School in Aylesbury, Bucks.
