Unveiling the Covered Statue

In pairs, one child strikes a statue pose and the other covers them with a light fabric; at “Ta-da, unveil!” the sculptor whisks it off, everyone claps and the sculptor copies the statue. It works on holding a position, observing someone else's body and expression.

How to play

1. The teacher becomes a statue with one child: the teacher holds a pose, the child drapes the fabric over the teacher's shoulders and back, and at “One, two, three, unveil!” pulls it off (2 min).
2. In pairs: the statue chooses a pose, the sculptor gently covers it and unveils it, then copies the pose right beside it (3 min).
3. Switch roles and try new poses: on one foot, crouching, with silly arms (3 min).
4. The museum: half the class are covered statues around the room and the other half are visitors who unveil them one by one and copy each pose before covering it again (3 min).
5. The statues wake up, stretch and everyone gives a grand-opening round of applause (1 min).

Rules

• The statue doesn't move until it's unveiled.
• Cover and uncover gently, no yanking.
• The fabric doesn't cover the face if the statue doesn't like it.
• We clap for every statue.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child makes statues with arms, hands, head and face from the wheelchair; the fabric goes over the shoulders.
• Visual impairment: after the unveiling, the sculptor explores the statue with their hands (with permission) to copy it.
• Autism: the fabric goes only over the back, never the head, and the child can always choose to start as the sculptor.

Learning goals

• Hold a still position for a few seconds.
• Observe and imitate a classmate's pose.
• Respect turns for covering and unveiling.

Equipment for a class of 25

• medium lightweight fabric pieces: 13

Teacher tip

Use light, see-through fabric that doesn't weigh much: chiffon or tulle. Kids love the “unveil!” moment; ham it up with your best museum-announcer voice.

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