Conductor of the Body Orchestra
The class becomes an orchestra in three sections, claps, thigh pats, and feet, and a conductor uses gestures to decide who plays, loud or soft, and when there is silence. Children practice listening, loud and soft, and sharing silence.
How to play
- Sitting in a half circle, the teacher shows three gestures: hands up, loud; hands down, soft; closed fist, silence (2 min).
- The whole orchestra claps, following the conductor's gestures (2 min).
- Split into three sections: claps, thigh pats, and feet; the conductor points to one section to play and the others wait (3 min).
- Mix it up: two sections at once, one loud and one soft, and silence for the whole orchestra (2 min).
- Several children take turns being the conductor for a short time each (2 min).
- Final concert: everyone plays very loud, then softer and softer, ending in silence with a bow (1 min).
Rules
- Always watch the conductor.
- My section plays only when pointed to.
- Closed fist: total silence.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use one section with claps and only loud, soft, and silence.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use three sections with the conductor pointing to one at a time.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, children take turns conducting and combine sections and volumes.
Adaptations
- Hearing impairment: this activity is very visual; seat the child facing the conductor.
- Limited mobility: if feet are hard to use, the child joins the clap or thigh-pat section.
- Autism: let the child choose a section and give a warning before loud parts.
Learning goals
- Respond to visual cues with body sounds.
- Control how loud or soft a sound is.
- Respect silence and each section's turn.
Teacher tip
The closed fist is the key gesture: practice it several times at the start until silence is instant. Give each child conductor just one minute so everyone gets a turn another day.
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