Type: Warm-Up, Ensemble Building
Purpose: A fun game to get students comfortable with each other and working together.
Procedure:
1. Clear a large space for the playing area.
2. Divide the class into small groups; three players to a group.
3. Explain that within each group there will be two players who form a shelter, while the other player becomes the person living in the shelter. A shelter is formed by two players facing each other, arms extended high placing their palms flat against each other to create a “roof”. The person living in the shelter should duck underneath.
4. Explain that you are going to call out three words: “People”, “Shelter” or “Storm”.
5. When you call out “People”, the people must leave their shelters and run to a different one while the shelters stay in place.
6. Practice this a few times.
7. When you call out “Shelter”, the shelters must break apart and find a new person to build a shelter over.
8. Practice this a few times, adding in the “People” command as well.
9. Finally, when you call out “Storm”, everyone runs around for 5 seconds. At the end of 5 seconds new groups of 3 should form with 2 shelters and 1 person. During the “Storm”, shelters can become people and people can become shelters.
10. Continue playing the game, alternating between calling out “People”, “Shelter” or “Storm”.
NOTES:
– If you don’t have the right amount of students to divide evenly, the teacher or assistant may have to play.
– For slightly older students, consider making the game competitive by having the “caller” be a student. When “storm” is called the “caller” joins the game and tries to find a group of 3. Whoever is left out becomes the new “caller”.
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Variation:
Shelter can run together, holding arms together.
Variation2:
Caller can call: right side!( Then right side of shelter changes places)
Or: left side! (Then left side of shelters changes places)
Looks like my drama class is in for a fun “start up” today. Thanks again be press.
This game sounds perfect for my drama group of 6 year olds. I am going to try it out tomorrow. Thank you for sharing
i am leading this activity for my drama class, thanks it sounds fun
My students enjoyed playing it in my drama class.
Thank You,
Oya from İstanbul