Copy the Statue in the Picture

The teacher shows picture cards of famous old sculptures (The Thinker, a dancer, a discus thrower, a horse statue from a town square), and children copy them with their bodies and hold still. They practice static balance, copying poses, and get a first taste of art.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher shows the first card and shares one simple sentence about who made it or where it is (2 min).
2. We all copy the sculpture with our bodies, with the teacher pointing out where the arms, head, and legs go (2 min).
3. We go through the cards: each time a new one appears, we copy it and hold still while the teacher counts to five (3 min).
4. In pairs, one child copies the card and the other is the "restorer" who gently adjusts an arm or the head; then they switch (3 min).
5. We set up our museum: each child picks a favorite sculpture and holds still while the teacher walks through to look (2 min).

Rules

• Sculptures don't move or talk.
• Restorers touch gently, as if the statue were made of glass.
• If you wobble or fall, just get back into position, no rush.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: copy the top half of the sculpture from the wheelchair (arms, head, facial expression).
• Autism: show the card as long as they need, and let them copy without being touched by a restorer.
• Visual impairment: the teacher describes the pose and guides the child's hands over their own body so they can feel it.

Learning goals

• Hold balanced poses without moving.
• Copy a pose seen in a picture.
• Get to know some well-known works of art.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Sculpture picture cards: 8

Teacher tip

Use pictures of old sculptures or statues from your town; if one is nearby, go see it another day. The typical mistake is copying only the arms, so point out the feet too.

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