Introduction

This activity consists of two parts. First, there is a discussion round, and after that a "movement" round, in which every student says 2-3 sentences and shows 2-3 gestures signifying key words. The rest of the group follows the gestures. 

Target group and Time

The target group is children in grade 3-5.  In groups of 4 students and 1 teacher, the activity takes about 10 minutes.
Playing the game in a larger group can increase the time, difficulty and fun of the game.  

Learning objectives

This activity aims to teach vocabulary and to practice speaking in complete sentences. Repetition of the sentences with gestures helps consolidate memory by connecting meaning to movements. 

Instructions to set up the activity

It might be a good idea to start by sitting down in a circle in an open space, so that there is enough room for bigger gestures or movements. 

The teacher should start the activity by giving the topic and providing an example.

Letting it run

• "Discussion" Part:
  After the topic (Animal) is given, every student chooses an animal or pet. Then 2-3 facts with fitting gestures are collected  about each pet. 
  The goal of the verbal part is for every student to be able to form 2-3 sentences about their animal/pet and to quickly think of the gestures. 
  (Example questions for the Topic "Animals and Pets": What is special about your animal/pet? Where does it live? How does it move? Do you know what it eats? When does it sleep? Does it have feathers or scales?)

• "Movement"/ Revision Part:
  During the "movement" part of this activity, ideally only one student should speak. The goal is for everyone to repeat their animal, tell the group the 2 facts about it while showing the gestures. The rest of the group follows the gestures. 

The topic can be more abstract (for advanced students), or the activity can be simplified by thinking of movements involving the whole body rather than hand gestures. 
(Topic ideas: food, pets, favourite and least favourite movies, vacation...
This can also be a useful game to introduce a new group of students to each other.
Everyone says their name and two things about themselves and the gestures make it more fun.)