Machine Game
Don’t worry about
trying to represent a "real" machine. The point of the activity is to
give kids the feeling of mechanical (vs. organic) motion and group interaction
sustained by rhythm and movement.
Objectives
Children ages 4-5 years can demonstrate meaning of word by
pantomime Lang. IIIB
and all children participating can imitate role play Cog. IV A
and use non-verbal interaction with other children in play Cog. IV A
Materials
Large area; a record
of electronic music or other music with repetitive, punctuated rhythms help to
inspire mechanical movements.
Procedures
1. Explain to the children that they are going to make a machine
using their bodies. The teacher demonstrates a mechanical motion and sound and
asks a child to imitate him.
2. Insert another child into this machine sculpture, providing him with a new
motion and sound so the kids get an idea of the variety of movements and
sounds.
3. Ask if someone else would like to be part of the machine. The teacher should
structure the first machine, helping the children place themselves in the
machine and choose sounds and movements. When tried in a movement session of
mine, the kids decided to be a fire engine machine and had concrete images in
mind. One child was the siren, another wheel, another hose, etc. All were eager
to participate.
4. The children continue to perform their sounds and movements until the
machine is complete. Ending the machine can happen by: a) the teacher simply
calling these children back to the group; b) the machine self-destructing:
exploding and blowing itself into oblivion; c) gradually grinding to a slow
halt; d) a child playing the role of an "on/off" switch. |