Statues: How-To

Basic Instructions

• Explain that today students are going to be creating statues.  Elicit that statues are still, silent, and composed of artistic choices that have multiple interpretations.
• Introduce a new vocabulary word or topic.
• Ask students to think about creating a statue that would represent their understanding of the word or topic; When kids have an idea about the statue they will create, they can give a thumbs up/make eye contact with the teacher
• Ask the entire class to stand up and make a frozen, silent statue of the vocabulary word
• Choose a strong example of the vocabulary word to spotlight, asking that student to remain standing while everyone else sits down.  Reflect on the statue with the class:
  • What do you see? (Help students to describe the statue’s arms, legs, facial expression, focal point)
  • How does this statue represent  _____?
  • When in your life have you experienced ____?
  • Ask all students to stand up and replicate the statue for the new vocabulary word
  • Continue adding words until the class has created statues for each vocabulary word (maximum three per day)

Variations

• Have students make statues quickly while up on their feet after covering the space.
• Provide time for students to plan and make statues as a group.

Tips for Success

• Remind students that they are playing characters, not themselves; and refer to each student as a character rather than by the student’s name, ie: I notice this character’s arms are straight and pointing toward the sun like the stem of a flower.