Animal Theater Curtain

The parachute is a stage curtain: a few children stand in the middle under the fabric, and when the curtain rises they appear as an animal statue for the others to guess. It builds creative movement, acting out animals and confidence performing for the group.

How to play

1. The teacher explains that today the parachute is a theater curtain and the actors will be animals (2 min).
2. Try the curtain: everyone lifts it, then lowers it slowly to shoulder height (2 min).
3. The teacher calls a color; those children step into the middle with the fabric lowered and the teacher whispers an animal to them (3 min).
4. The curtain rises! The actors freeze as the animal and the audience guesses; then they move like it for two seconds (4 min).
5. Other colors take a turn, and older children choose their own animal (2 min).
6. Grand finale: all the actors show their favorite animal at once and the audience applauds with the fabric (1 min).

Rules

• The curtain comes down slowly and never covers the actors' faces.
• Actors stay still until the curtain rises.
• Raise your hand to guess.
• Every animal is a good animal.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair acts with arms, face and voice; a bird or fish works well.
• Autism: the child can act next to the teacher or stay in the audience until ready; nobody has to go in.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher shows an animal picture card instead of whispering.

Learning goals

• Act out animals with the body.
• Feel confident performing for classmates.
• Recognize and appreciate what others do.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Rainbow parachute: 1

Teacher tip

The curtain should never go below the actors' shoulders, so practice it well at the start. Keep animal picture cards handy for anyone who goes blank.

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