Acka Backa

Version 1

• • Students sit in a circle and pat the beat while a student who is “it” walks around the circle lightly taps heads (or just points to each child’s head) until the word “you.” That person becomes the new “it,” and the former “it” sits in his/her spot.

Version 2 – Passing Game

• • Students sit in a circle and pass a bean bag on the beat around the circle. The person the bean bag lands on is “out.” The “out” person can join you in playing a drum on the beat. When the game repeats, the new “out” person can take the place of the other drummer, who joins the game again.

Version 3

• For older students, students stand in a circle, each with one fist out in front. One person is “it” inside the circle and taps each person’s fist (with fist or open hand) on the beat. The person who is out goes to a xylophone and plays DA bordun (both notes together on the quarter note beat).
  • Variation: students put two fists out in front – takes longer for someone to be out
  • Variation: add two students who are “it” inside the circle, back to back, so two people are out. Those two could become the new “it” people inside the circle or go and play an instrument.
  • Variation: students who are “out” pick up recorders and play either D or A on the steady beat while play continues.