This game gives opportunity for some very lively chasing, with good running and dodging up and down the aisles. As in all running games in the class room, the seated players should keep their feet out of the aisles.
For young children it may be found desirable to have only one chaser. It generally adds to the interest of the game to have a general exchange of seats at the opening of the game, immediately after the numbers have been assigned, and before the chasing is commenced, as then the person who calls the numbers is at a loss to know how near or distant those called may be in relation to each other, and this element adds much to the sport of the game.
OBSERVATION
5 to 60 players.
Parlor; schoolroom.
This game is a test of visual memory. When played in a parlor, all the players are seated except one, who passes around a tray or a plate, on which are from six to twenty objects, all different. These may include such things as a key, spool of thread, pencil, cracker, piece of cake, ink bottle, napkin ring, small vase, etc. The more uniform the size and color of the objects the more difficult will be the test. The player who carries the tray will pass at the pace of an ordinary walk around the circle, giving each player an opportunity to look at the objects only so long as they are passing before him. It is not allowable to look longer than this. The observer must then at once write down on a slip of paper the names of as many of the objects as he can remember. The player wins who writes correctly the longest list.
It is sometimes more convenient to have the articles on a table and the players all pass in a line before them.
IN THE SCHOOLROOM.—The objects should be placed on the teacher's desk, so shielded that pupils cannot see them except as they march past the desk. This they should do, returning at once to their seats and writing the list. Used in this way, the game may be made to correlate with nature study, the objects to be observed being grasses, shells, leaves, stones, woods, etc.
ODD MAN'S CAP
10 to 30 or more players.