Zip Zap Zop

When we practice focus and attention, we can organize our thinking and behavior to meet goals. This allows us to engage deeply in learning with one each other. We will use our focus skills to pay attention as we take turns and send the chant “Zip, Zap, Zop” around the circle.

1. Gather students in a circle. If online, determine an order before the game begins. Have students repeat after you: “Zip, Zap, Zop.”
2. The leader will begin by saying “Zip,” and clapping their hands at the next person. Then, the next person will say “Zap” and will clap their hands at a different person. Finally, the third person will say, “Zop,” etc.
3. The chant will continue around the circle repeatedly until each person has a chance to say the chant.

• What about this game was easy or hard for you?
• What strategies did you use? What might you do differently next time?
• When do you need to focus at home or at school?

For primary school students:

• To make the game easier, go around the circle in order chanting “Zip, Zap, Zop.”
• Ask students to gently throw a ball to one another in a random order as they chant “Zip, Zap, Zop.”
• Suggest that students change the chant to one using different sounds, for example: “Bang, bang, bang, bop,” or “Click, clack, click,” etc.

For students in grades 5-6:

• Suggest a song for students to sing and sing one of the verses one word at a time.
• Match each sound to a different movement to have students do the movement and say the sound at the same time. For example, students may match the following sounds and movements:
  • Zip: Clap their hands over their heads
  • Zap: Put their hands on their knees
  • Zop: Jump in the air