Frozen Shapes: Ball, Stick and Star

Children dance freely and, when the music stops, freeze in the shape the teacher shows on a card: ball, stick, star or bridge. It works on body control, stillness and creativity with shapes.

How to play

1. Seated, the teacher shows the cards and everyone tries each shape: ball (curled up), stick (straight and stretched), star (arms and legs wide) and bridge (hands and feet on the floor) (2 min).
2. To upbeat music, they dance freely around the space; when it stops, the teacher holds up a card and they freeze in that shape (3 min).
3. The shape melts: when the music returns, they dance out of the shape very slowly, then speed up (2 min).
4. Made-up shapes: when the music stops, the teacher calls "Twisty shape!", "Pointy shape!" or "Teeny-tiny shape!" and everyone makes it their own way (3 min).
5. Museum visit: half the group freezes and the other half strolls around looking at the shapes like in a museum; then they switch (2 min).

Rules

• I dance into empty spaces.
• When the music stops, I freeze in the card's shape.
• When I'm frozen, I don't move a bit.
• Every shape counts if it looks like the card.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child makes shapes with arms, trunk and head from the chair (ball: hug yourself; star: arms wide).
• Hearing impairment: holding the card up high goes along with the music stopping and becomes the signal.
• Visual impairment: the teacher calls the shape out loud and a partner helps describe it.

Learning goals

• Hold a still position for a few seconds.
• Represent shapes with the body.
• Invent original poses from an idea.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Music
• Shape cards: 4

Teacher tip

Make big cards with a stick figure in each shape. A common mistake is always freezing standing up; remind them there are floor shapes too.

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