Activity 1: Group Sculpture
Part of Love Will Guide Us
Activity time: 18 minutes
Preparation for Activity
- Clear an area where four or more children can arrange themselves in a group sculpture. Set up chairs for an "audience."
- Write a list of objects for the groups to "sculpt," such as typewriter, computer, car, bulldozer, sink, helicopter, food processor, shower, birthday cake, swing set, breakfast.
Description of Activity
A group must work together to create "sculptures" using only their bodies. Of course, teamwork and togetherness are the most important elements of success. The goal is to create community spirit.
Invite four or more participants to be a sculpture. Gather everyone else to be an audience. Explain that the small group will have a very short period (30 seconds to one minute is suggested) to create a sculpture and it must include everyone in the group. The sculpture can be moving or still. Tell the small group whether or not they can talk to each other; keeping the children silent while they make a sculpture is one way to invite a group's usual leaders to become followers and shy folks to participate more actively.
Call out an object from your list. Then count down the time. Say "stop" when time is up. Observe the result. Then call out the next object. Keep the pace swift. After calling out a half dozen or so, stop and give a big round of applause. Have the group switch with participants in the audience so others get a turn. Repeat, to give all who wish a turn in a sculpture group.
Follow up with these questions:
- Did everyone feel included in the activity? How did you feel included? Or, why did you not feel included?
- How did you decide who did what in the group?
- Do you think this activity would have been as much fun if each person did it individually?
Including All Participants
If someone is physically challenged, place them safely in the sculpture area and invite the group to create the sculptures including them.