Wave, Ripple, Domino: Movement That Travels Through a Group

Groups of eight explore three ways to pass movement through a group: a wave along a line, a ripple from the center, and a controlled domino drop. They're highly visual chorus tools for the final piece.

How to play

1. Wave: in a line, an arm move travels end to end with a one-count delay per person; try it straight, diagonal and in a circle (6 min).
2. Ripple: one person in the center starts a gesture and it spreads outward by proximity, like a drop in water (5 min).
3. Domino: in a line, each person lowers to the floor with control after the one before and rises in reverse order (5 min).
4. Each group combines the three into a sequence of about 60 seconds and shows it (9 min).

Rules

• In the domino nobody leans on anyone: each person lowers alone, through hips and hands.
• Keep an arm's length between people in the line.
• The initiator signals with their eyes, not their voice.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: in the domino, they fold the torso forward; in the wave they are one more spot in the line.
• Blind or low-vision students: get their cue through a light tap on the shoulder from the previous person.
• Knee injury: in the domino, lower to middle level without reaching the floor.

Learning goals

• Pass movement through a group with accurate timing.
• Learn chorus tools for composition.
• Link group forms into a sequence.

Equipment for a class of 25

• speaker: 1

Teacher tip

Practice the wave without music first, with the teacher clapping the beat. The wave tends to speed up at the end; name someone at the tail as tempo keeper.

More main activities for High School