Silent Commercials for Healthy Habits

In groups, students create and perform a silent 45-second TV commercial that "sells" a healthy habit: walking to school, drinking water, getting enough sleep or playing outside. It combines body expression, teamwork in creating a piece and thinking about health.

How to play

1. Spark the idea (3 min): ask what makes commercials memorable (exaggeration, a before and after, a surprise ending). Secretly give each group of 5 a healthy habit.
2. Script (5 min): each group plans its commercial in three scenes: the problem (someone tired or bored), discovering the habit and the happy result. They may use up to 3 items from the assorted equipment as props.
3. Rehearse (7 min): groups practice several times with exaggerated gestures, slow motion for the key moment and a final freeze with a body-made slogan (for example, forming a glass of water with their arms).
4. On air (7 min): each group performs its commercial for the class. Afterward, the audience guesses the habit and says which scene made it clearest.
5. Wrap-up (3 min): a show-of-hands vote in three categories (funniest, clearest, best ending) so every group can be recognized.

Rules

• The commercial is silent: sounds are fine, words are not.
• Every group member appears in the commercial.
• Handle props with care and return them when finished.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student can play the main character who changes habits, a role that relies mostly on face and arms.
• Hearing impairment: the group agrees on visual cues for scene changes, and the audience votes with colored cards.
• Shy students: they can play a group role (crowd, family) instead of the lead.

Learning goals

• Communicate a complete message using only the body and gesture.
• Create a clearly structured expressive sequence as a group.
• Recognize healthy habits and how they affect well-being.

Equipment for a class of 25

• assorted equipment: 15

Teacher tip

Keep creation time on a visible timer: when it drags, groups lose focus. Encourage a big contrast between before and after, since that is what gets the message across.

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