Leaf Wind, Stone Statues

While the teacher tosses leaves in the air, children move like the wind carrying them; when the last leaf touches the ground, they turn into stone statues. It builds creative movement, stopping on cue, and postural control.

How to play

1. Look at a large rock: it's still and hard and doesn't move even when the wind blows; try being a rock for a moment (2 min).
2. The teacher tosses a handful of leaves: while they fall, spin and blow like the wind; when they land, rock! (3 min).
3. The wind changes: soft breeze (move slowly), big gale (run and spin), whirlwind (turn in circles) (3 min).
4. Stone statues with shapes: round rock (ball), tall rock (stretched up), flat rock (lying down) (3 min).
5. A child tosses the leaves while the others are wind and rock; take turns (3 min).
6. The wind ends: everyone becomes river stones, lying down very still (1 min).

Rules

• I move while the leaves are falling.
• When they land, I freeze like a rock.
• The wind doesn't push anybody.
• If I wiggle while I'm a rock, that's okay. I keep playing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: be the wind with arms and upper body and the rock by staying still in the wheelchair.
• Visual impairment: the teacher says "Rock!" out loud as well as tossing the leaves.
• Autism: give the child their own large rock to touch while being a statue, as an anchor.

Learning goals

• Show different qualities of movement with the body.
• Stop moving on time.
• Hold a still position for a few seconds.

Equipment for a class of 25

• dry leaves
• large rocks: 3

Teacher tip

Toss the leaves high so they fall slowly and give kids time to move. The rocks are only for looking at and touching; keep them at the edge, outside the play area.

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