The Chameleon Turns Leaf-Colored

Children are chameleons who move super slowly, catch mosquitoes with a lightning-fast tongue, and freeze next to a piece of fabric to blend in. It contrasts slow and fast movement and builds body control.

How to play

1. The teacher explains that a chameleon moves so slowly it looks like it isn't moving: we practice slow-motion steps, hand and foot, hand and foot, rolling our eyes around (1 min).
2. Colored fabric pieces around the room are leaves, flowers and branches; the chameleons stroll slowly between them (2 min).
3. When the teacher says "Here comes a bird!", each chameleon goes to a fabric piece, turns its color and freezes right next to it; the teacher-bird walks by looking and finds no one (2 min).
4. Snack time! The chameleons shoot out their tongue: they stretch one arm out super fast up high, to the side or down low to catch pretend mosquitoes (1 min).
5. The chameleons curl their tail, hold onto their branch, and rest very still (1 min).

Rules

• We walk very slowly, like slow motion.
• Only the tongue goes fast.
• When the bird comes, we freeze like statues.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair moves slowly to a fabric piece and catches mosquitoes with the arms; put some fabric on tables at their height.
• Autism: let the child always go to the same fabric if that feels safe, and give a heads-up before the bird appears.
• Visual impairment: use fabrics with different textures so they can recognize them by touch.

Learning goals

• Control the speed of movement.
• Match colors and shapes to a posture.
• Hold still for a few seconds.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Colored fabric pieces: 10

Teacher tip

Model slow motion carefully, because they tend to run to the fabric. Count to five quietly while the bird passes so they know how long to freeze.

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