Parachutes are a simple piece of equipment that are relatively cheap and can serve a lot of purposes. Games and activities with parachutes are cooperative, inclusive, non-competitive, and involve rhythmic, motor and social development. All good things!
Activity:
The lyrics suggest movements:
“Make a Circle Gather Round” = Everyone walks around the outside of the parachute, holding on to the perimeter- switch directions if you want to add a level of complexity…
“The Peace we want is all around = Stop moving your feet, stretch all the way up, then all the way down, the parachute will billow
“C’mon in close” = keep holding on to perimeter, walk toward middle, the parachute will bunch up, smile as everyone meets in the middle in a small, intimate circle (consider adding a hi-5) then walk back out to extend circle again
“Kids go under…”= Grown-ups continue to hold on to the edges of the parachute so that it creates a ‘tent’ and the kids go under it and give each other hugs (most kids like to reach up and try to touch the top of the parachute tent).
Teaching Tips:
Make sure that you have the right size parachute for your group!
Use the chorus time to give directions so that the group can move together.
Chords:
C F G C
Lyrics:
Chorus:
C F G x4
Sukat Shalom, Sukat Shalom, A place of peace- at school and home
Let’s work together, you and me to make the world a sa fer place to be
C F G C
Make a circle, gather round- move to the beat, make a stomping sound
Make a circle, gather round- move to the beat, make a stomping sound
Make a circle, gather round- move to the beat, make a stomping sound
Make a circle, gather round- move to the beat, make a stomping sound
Chorus
The peace we want is all around up so high and on the ground
The peace we want is all around up so high and on the ground
The peace we want is all around up so high and on the ground
The peace we want is all around up so high and on the ground
Chorus
C’mon in close, to see your friends, smile then walk back out again
C’mon in close, to see your friends, smile then walk back out again
C’mon in close, to see your friends, smile then walk back out again
C’mon in close, to see your friends, smile then walk back out again
Kids go under, give a hug, to make more peace, then share your love
Kids go under, give a hug, to make more peace, then share your love
Kids go under, give a hug, to make more peace, then share your love
Kids go under, give a hug, to make more peace, then share your love