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Ickle Ockle; a Singing Game Your Students Will Love
- Sarah King
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
This game is a simple, no-stress alternative to musical chairs. Keep reading to get your own copy of the free color wheel I use when playing!
If you're looking for a movement and singing game that keeps every student engaged and takes almost no prep time, meet Ickle Ockle. I've been using a version of this folk song in my classroom for years, and I finally built a free digital wheel to go with it. Here's everything you need to play.
The Song
Ickle Ockle is a traditional song that appears in many different forms across folk song collections. My version has been adjusted to fit my classroom's musical needs — specifically, I tweaked the final line so the melody lands on Do. Because sometimes you just need it to resolve, right?
Because Ickle Ockle exists in many forms, there's probably lots of different versions. I've heard some people say "bickle bockle." I adapted mine specifically so it ends on Do—which just makes my heart happy.
After learning the song, have students practice walking around the room while singing. Often this takes more practice than I think it will because students get distracted walking around and forget to sing.
The Game
When you're ready to start the game, scatter poly-spots on the floor around your room. I use these and love them — the bright colors match the wheel perfectly (affiliate link).
I think it's important to put out more spots than you have students. This is not musical chairs. Nobody is scrambling or getting elbowed. Everyone ends the song standing peacefully on a spot—which makes the whole game feel safe and joyful.
Choose one student to stand near the screen as the wheel spinner. Everyone else walks around the room singing the song. When the song ends, each student freezes on a spot.
The wheel spinner clicks the wheel (link below). Whichever color it lands on—those students are out for the round. Have them go sit in a designated spot in your room.
If you'd rather, students who are out can play an ostinato on Orff instruments or unpitched percussion while others continue. Choose a new wheel spinner and repeat until you have one winner—or until you decide the game is simply done!
Sea Rescue rule: if the wheel lands on Sea Rescue, ALL students are back in the game!This option keeps the energy alive and gives students who got out early a second chance. It's especially wonderful for grades 1–3, where waiting on the sidelines can be really tough.
To get your own wheel click on the picture—free and no sign-ups required. It's from the website wheelofnames.com. If you want, you can use the wheel just as is, or you can make a copy and edit it for your own colors and choices.
Resources:
Free Ickle Ockle Color Wheel: https://wheelofnames.com/g2k-mm6
Colorful Poly Spots (Amazon affiliate link): https://amzn.to/41oU20Z
Affiliate link disclosure: the Amazon link above is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing extra and helps support this blog — thank you!
I hope your students love this one as much as mine do. If you try it, I'd love to hear how it went—drop a comment below!
Happy teaching!
Sarah
For more fun, check out these other games and lessons that are teacher-tested and student approved (and don't forget to sign up for my email list for 20% your first order!)