Election Day Relay Run

Here are two versions of an Election Day Relay. This game is another version of "No Relay Relay" which can be found on my web site on the homepage under More Powerful Original Games. A more complete version as a lesson plan can be found in my book: Fun, Fitness, and Skills - The Powerful Original Games Approach.

The Game - Grades 2 and up - Place an O or an M on one side of 200 index cards - 100 of each letter. Scatter the cards face down at one end of the play area or gymnasium. Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 and no less than 3 students per line. The lines do not have to be even as in a traditional relay race. Line up each group at the other end of the play area. On the go signal, the first person on each line runs to the index cards, picks up one card - without looking at the letter on the opposite side - runs back, tags the next player on line, places the card in their groups container (perhaps a hoop) and goes to the end of the line. Play continues until most of the cards are taken. At that point each group counts their votes. See which candidate has the most votes in each group and which candidate has the most total votes. Play again, but this time allow the students to look before they pick the card. They can choose which card to bring back. Play until about half to a quarter of the cards are left or until it seems that students cannot find the card they are looking for. See which candidate has the most votes in each group and which candidate has the most total votes. As and option, you can make a chart of how each class voted.

Variations:

1. Vary the locomotor skills.
2. Players manipulate a piece of equipment while moving from end to end. For example, dribble a basketball, tap a volleyball, dribble a soccer ball.
3. Show a large map of the United States. Discuss which states are currently for Obama, which states are for McCain, and which states are battleground states. Disignate each group as a different state. It is up to each state to choose according to the current polls. The battleground states have more freedom. Discuss which states had more fun playing the game and why.