Broken Gesture: The Move That Travels Down the Line

Like the telephone game, a slow three-part gesture passes person to person down the line and is compared with the original at the end. It's a calm game that works on observation, motor memory and body expression.

How to play

1. Each row stands facing the back of the person ahead, except the first person, who faces the teacher (1 min).
2. The teacher shows the first person in each row a slow three-part gesture; they tap the next person's shoulder, who turns and sees it only once (2 min).
3. The gesture travels to the end and the last person shows it next to the first to compare (2 min).
4. Second round with a gesture created by the last person, traveling forward (2 min).

Rules

• Only look when it's your turn; everyone else faces away.
• Slow gestures, no moving around.
• You see the gesture only once.
• No laughing at how the gesture turned out: the changes are the fun.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: receive the gesture by placing hands on a partner's arms, if both agree.
• Wheelchair users: arm, head and trunk gestures for the whole row.
• Shy students: they don't have to create the gesture, only pass it on.

Learning goals

• Watch and repeat a movement sequence.
• Wind down with a calm game.
• Express yourself with your body without fear of mistakes.

Teacher tip

Works best with lines of five or six. The difference between the first and last gesture gets laughs, so leave time to talk about it and then close calmly.

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