Traveling Tale: A Story That Moves Around the Schoolyard
The class tells an adventure that travels around the schoolyard: each group prepares one stop on the journey (forest, river, cave, storm, market, summit), and at the end everyone travels it together. It works on body storytelling and group creation.
How to play
- The teacher sets up the journey: a team of explorers is searching for something lost. Six stations are set out around the yard with cones and cards (4 min).
- Groups of 5 build their station as one minute of action: what obstacle appears, how the body gets past it (climbing, swimming, dodging, pushing), and how you exit (10 min).
- Dress rehearsal: each station group teaches everyone the key movement so all can join in during the journey (8 min).
- The full journey: the whole class goes station to station following the group that created it, in order and without talking. The teacher narrates out loud (6 min).
- Arrival at the last station and a final whole-class frozen picture with the object they found (2 min).
Rules
- Walk between stations.
- Obstacles are imaginary: no climbing benches, goals, or hurdles.
- At each station, the group that created it leads.
- Everyone takes part at every station, even with small gestures.
Variations
Easier
Four stations, and the teacher sets the movement for each.
Standard
Six stations created by the groups.
Harder
Each station includes a change of pace (slow-mo, fast-forward) and a statue moment.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the route between stations is flat and obstacle-free; key movements are adapted to arms and trunk.
- Visual impairment: they travel with a partner guide, and the teacher describes each station on arrival.
- Insecure students: at their station they can be the narrator or part of the scenery (tree, rock).
Learning goals
- Tell a story together with the body.
- Design a movement and teach it to others.
- Stay focused and silent during a group creation.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 12
- station cards: 6
Teacher tip
Set the stations in a wide circle so the journey doesn't cross itself. Narrate the route yourself: linking stations with two sentences makes the journey much better.
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