Spider and the Flies
- Two goals are marked with jump ropes at about 40 feet apart.
- Halfway between the goals, a 6 to 10 foot circle is drawn; it should be large enough to hold all the players when they are standing close together.
- A Head Fly is designated.
- One player, who is the spider, crouches in the middle of the circle and all the other players, the Flies, stand along the goal lines.
- The Flies advance and, walking, skipping, or running, move around close to the circumference of the circle. All travel in the same direction (following the movement of Head Fly).
- At any time, the Spider may give chase to the field, tagging as many as possible before the Flies reach one of the goals.
- If tagged, a Fly becomes a Spider and joins the first Spider in his circle.
- The original Spider always gives the chasing signal, so other Spiders may not leave the circle until the signal is given.
- The last Fly caught becomes the Spider for the next game.
Excerpted from The Complete Teacher's Almanack: A Daily Guide to All 12 Months of the Year by Dana Newman.
