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Invite students to stand in a group, all facing the same direction. The students should have enough room to move from a standing position without touching one and other.
The individual at the front most part of the group leads everyone in controlled movement. The teacher should model this first. "I am going to move slowly and invite you to follow, or mirror my movement as accurately as possible. I'm going to move in a way that allows for everyone to follow me." The students should follow, mirroring the leader. If and when the teacher shifts direction and therfore shifts out of the group's line of vision, a new leader at the front of the group emerges and leads until his/her movement shifts focus to another leader. The object of the activity is for the group to look like they are moving as one. All movement should be improvised. This activity can be done with or without music.
- What did you notice about being the leader of the group? What were some of the characteristics of being a good leader?
- What did you notice about being a follower? What were some of the skills you had to use to be a good follower?
- How did we work together as a group during this activity?
- Why is it important to be a good leader and a good follower? How do we take these skills and characteristics of leading and following and apply them to how we work together as a classroom of learners?
- "Make sure everyone can follow your movement."
- "Keep trying to mirror the leader."
Variations:
- Use this strategy to teach Cardinal Directions or the Compass Rose. Begin by having the students help you label North, South, East and West within the room. Then invite them to begin flocking. The teacher can call out which direction the wind shifts and the students have to shift the group's focus to that direction as a whole group.
- Use this strategy to teach Stage DIrections. Invite students to flock in the given stage direction.
- Use the strategy as a way to activate how types of animals travel in flocks, herd, schools, etc.
- Use this strategy as a way to build ensemble.
Extensions: Practice this activity with the students, and then incorporate it as a moment in a devised theatre piece.
Bogart, Anne and Tina Landau. The Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 2004.