Build it, Break it

Groups of 4 or 5 work well, but this can also be done with smaller groups if necessary. Students are given a prompt to build a whole group statue (it can be frozen as in a tableau, or it can move a bit as needed--generally the fewer directions the better as you might be surprised by their inventiveness). I start off with things that are concrete, or tangible and gradually building in complexity: chair, table, bridge, bicycle and traffic were ones I used today successfully. Students have a set period of time (one minute works well) to create their sculpture. I then call out "build it" and each group, simultaneously, builds their version of "chair". Have them hold it for a 5 - 10 seconds and call, "break it" and they return to actors neutral. Repeat so they have it in their bodies. Then add another object for them to do, with the same process, but now they have two to create: Chair--build it....break it. Bridge--build it break it...

After you have 5 objects and the students have rehearsed we do a gallery walk type performance with one group performing all of them (with the teacher/leader calling build, it break it).

Then, move to the abstract ideas.

Here's a list of some that I have done:

Table Art

Bridge Connection

Traffic Important

Bicycle Analysis

Chair Routine

I experimented with using this activity for the students to build physical embodiments of some school-wide concepts/vocabulary that my students used in all of their subjects. The video is from a drama class that did this.

Analyze

Collaborate

Demonstrate

Cause and effect

Characteristic

Perspective

Evidence

Interpret

Specific

Elaborate

Inquire

Claim

You could also use this technique to preview, introduce, or review vocabulary students might encounter in a story. The last set of videos are a pre-reading activity I did with with Cambodian teacher candidates. We previewed some key vocabulary that they would encounter in the reading that they would be leading their 10th grade students in the following day, “The Haunted House”: haunted, house, ghost, and surprised. Words that were crucial to understanding the text. Following that is an example where students review vocabulary from a geography lesson.