Fairy Steps, Elf Steps

When the bell rings, children are light fairies who float, twirl and barely touch the ground; when the drum sounds, they're heavy forest elves who stomp and work crouched low. They explore the contrast between light and heavy, tense and relaxed movements.

How to play

1. The teacher introduces the fairies (bell) and the elves (drum) and acts out each one (1 min).
2. Fairies: with the bell, float on tiptoe with soft arms, twirling gently (2 min).
3. Elves: with the drum, stomp low and heavy, as if digging and hauling rocks (2 min).
4. The sounds alternate and we switch creatures as soon as we hear the change (3 min).
5. Fairy and elf together: in pairs, one is a fairy and the other an elf, walking side by side; then switch (3 min).
6. We all become fairies who land on a leaf and stay very still (1 min).

Rules

• Fairies make no sound when they walk.
• Elves stomp hard, but never jump on anyone.
• When the sound changes, I change creatures.
• I move in my own space, no bumping.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: fairy with very soft arms and hands, elf by tapping hard on the armrests or knees.
• Hearing loss: pair the bell with a white scarf (fairy) and the drum with a brown one (elf).
• Autism: if the drum is bothersome, tap it softly by hand; the child can be in charge of the bell.

Learning goals

• Tell apart light and heavy movements.
• Regulate muscle tension throughout the body.
• Express characters through movement.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hand drum: 1
• Bell: 1

Teacher tip

Exaggerate the contrast hugely when you model it: fairy nearly floating on tiptoe, elf crouched and grumpy. The typical slip is elves ending up jumping and yelling; ask for "strong, quiet elves."

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