This is a version of an activity that I heard about from a colleague (Mr. Jesus). It’s a fun and quick way to get students thinking about the idea of contact improvisation. It’s ideal for students who have some experience with movement and feel comfortable working in partnerships.

Grade:
4th & up

Intro:
- Have students find a partner or assign partners.
- Have partnerships find some dance space in the room.
- Tell students. “I’m going to call out a part of the body. When you hear it, you and your partner have to connect those body parts. For example, if I say “elbow”, touch your elbow to your partner’s elbow.” (Model this).

Exploration:
Hand
Elbow
Shoulder
Wrist
Hip
Knee
Ankle
Foot
Forehead
Back
Finger
Arm
Back of Hand
Ear
Forearm
Bottom
Etc….

Variations:
While students are connected you can prompt them to:
- Travel in the space.
- Travel on various pathways: straight line, curved line, zig zag..
- Experiment with different levels: low, medium, high

In my experience, when I’ve done this activity with students, it takes them a few body parts to warm up to the idea of connecting and contact but then they start to get really into it. They will definitely react to prompts like “ear” or “bottom” :)