Euro 2021 Sensory Football Match

With Euro 2021 underway, I thought I’d share a few ideas of how to bring the game into the classroom with a virtual sensory football match.

 
 
 
Re-creating a football game is an excellent way for sensory explorers to learn about the game of football and other cultures.
 

This activity can be done using any combination of teams. For the purpose of this post, I have chosen Italy vs Spain.

Gathering Props

Audio Clips/Recordings of the Italian & Spanish National Anthems and of a Football Crowd

(These can be recorded and then played back via a Talking Tile/BIGMack /Dictaphone/Phone or iPad App or through your whiteboard, you will find free donwloadable audio clips on the internet)

Smells & Tastes of Italy

Basil Leaves, Fresh Parsley, Dried Pasta, Pizza, Garlic (bulb, flakes, powder or infused in food: garlic bread/crackers) Dried coffee beans/granules (decaffeinated), Ice-Cream.

Smells & Tastes of Spain

Olives, Dried Rice/Rice Pudding (Paella), ‘Sangria’ (non-alcoholic fruit juice), Tortillas, Peppers, Spanish Omelette.

Table Football Game

Fans (Hand-held/Battery), Penne Pasta/Straws, Ping Pong Ball/Polystyrene Ball/Pom-Pom, Football ‘Net’ (this can either be drawn on the able with chalk or you could use small fishing nets held by the ‘goal keepers’ at either end of the table)

Referee

Whistle, Party Blower

Misc

Football Scarves/Shorts/Shirt, Flags (these can be printed off the internet or drawn – the students could create their won flags prior to the match) Bam Bams/Thunderstix/Boom Sticks/Horn/Drum/Clappers, Oranges/Satsumas /Juice, Trophy (Gold Coins/Stickers)

 
 
 

Activity:

 

  1. Explore the football kit with the option for the sensory explorers to wear during the match.

  2. Divide the sensory explorers into two groups of football supporters, Italian and Spanish.

  3. Present each group with their countries flag to wave as they listen to the audio recording of the National Anthem in turn. (Option to ‘play’ along to the anthem using musical instruments)

  4. Explore the smells and tastes of each country.

  5. Build anticipation skills counting backwards from 3 to 1 giving the cue for the sensory explorers to blow their whistles/party blowers to signal the start of the match.

  6. Play the audio clip of the crowd cheering.

  7. Begin your game of table football by placing the ping pong ball/polystyrene ball/pom pom in the centre of the table.

  8. Sensory explorers move the ‘ball’ by directing their fans or blowng through straws/ penne pasta. Alternatively they could flick the ‘ball’ using their fingers/hands.

  9. When a goal is scored pass the Bam Bams/Thunderstix/Boom Sticks/Horn/Drum/Clappers for exploration.

  10. Play the game either on a timer or until everyone has had a turn on the ball then break for half time to enjoy a tasty segment of orange/satsuma or drink of juice.

  11. Switch ends of the table then play the second half of the game.

  12. The winning team have their National Anthem played as they collect their ‘trophy’ (this can be made from a cardboard cut-out covered in foil or a reward such as a gold coin, sticker, certificate or other motivating/rewarding item.

 
 
 
 

For more sensory ideas and inspiration, visit the website

www.rhymingmultisensorystories.com

Your questions, queries, comments and feedback are always welcome!

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

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