The Giant and the Elf

When the drum plays, children are giants moving with the big parts of the body (arms, legs, trunk); when the triangle rings, they are elves who move only small parts (fingers, wrists, ankles, nose). It builds the difference between large and small body parts and the size of movements.

How to play

1. The teacher introduces both characters: the giant takes huge steps swinging arms and legs; the elf stands still and wiggles fingers, wrists and ankles (2 min).
2. With the drum, giants stride around the playground, swinging their arms and twisting the trunk (2 min).
3. With the triangle, they stop and become elves: moving only fingers, then wrists, then ankles, nose and eyes (2 min).
4. Switch between drum and triangle faster and faster; giants jump, run and stretch the whole body (3 min).
5. The giants get tired and lie down; lying there, the elves move only their toes and fingers, slower and slower (3 min).

Rules

• Drum: giant, big parts. Triangle: elf, small parts.
• Giants stomp hard but don't bump.
• The elf stays in one spot.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the giant moves arms, shoulders and trunk from the wheelchair, the elf moves fingers and face.
• Hearing impairment: use a big giant card and a small elf card instead of the instruments.
• Visual impairment: the two sounds are very different; the giant walks holding a classmate's hand.

Learning goals

• Tell the difference between big and small body parts.
• Change movement size from big to small.
• Respond quickly to a sound signal.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hand drum: 1
• Triangle: 1

Teacher tip

During elf time, let the triangle ring until it fades; it helps everyone stay still. If the playground is very big, mark the boundaries with cones first.

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