Slow-Motion Lesson Charades
A volunteer acts out an activity or skill from today's lesson in slow motion without talking, the class guesses it and names one of its rules, and then everyone copies it slowly. It builds recall of what was learned, body expression and calm.
How to play
- Students sit in a semicircle. Explain that you'll replay the lesson with very slow charades, like a movie in slow motion (30 sec).
- Call up a volunteer and whisper an activity or skill from class, such as "dribbling the ball" or "the tag game."
- The volunteer acts it out in slow motion with no sounds. Anyone who knows raises a hand without calling out.
- Call on a student; if they guess right, they must name one rule or tip for that activity.
- The whole class stands and copies the movement in slow motion for 10 seconds, then sits back down breathing slowly.
- Repeat with new volunteers for 5 or 6 rounds, about 45 seconds each.
Rules
- Act it out with no words or sounds.
- Raise your hand to answer; no shouting.
- Do slow movements in place without bumping anyone.
- A different volunteer goes each round.
Variations
Easier
You act out the first one and give two choices to pick from.
Standard
Five or six rounds with a new volunteer and one rule for each correct guess.
Harder
The volunteer acts out two movements in a row, and the class must guess the order they happened in class.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student acts out the movement with arms and trunk from their chair, and the class copies it the same way.
- Visual impairment: a buddy quietly describes the charade, and the student answers with the activity's rules.
- Shyness or autism: the student performs the charade together with a trusted classmate.
Learning goals
- Recall the activities and skills practiced in class.
- Act out movements slowly and with control.
- Explain rules and tips for the activities.
Teacher tip
Choose movements that don't require running to act out, and remind students the fun is in going slow. Keep a list of the day's activities handy so you don't repeat them.
PatioLab has "Slow-Motion Lesson Charades" and 2499 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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