The Pilobolus Alphabet

If you tried out The Name Game and liked it, here’s another fun activity using the alphabet.

The Human Alphabet is a book by Pilobolus.  It is so engaging for children, especially elementary school ages!  They love to guess what shapes the dances are making and try to figure out how they did that!  After we read through the book together as a class.  I’ll say, “By the time I count to 5, be standing elbow to elbow in groups of three (or four or five, depending on numbers)”.  Once they have quickly divided themselves, they pick two letters.  They must all come together to make each letter with their whole bodies, just like Pilobolus does in the book.  Then, they will create a shape for each letter they picked.  For example, if my group picked L and T, we would first figure out how to make L and T as a group with our bodies.  Then, we’d pick an object that starts with L, perhaps ladder, and create it with our bodies in a frozen shape.  Then, for T, we might make a turtle or trampoline.

If we have time, we’ll then share our favorite letter and shape with the class and see if anyone can guess what shapes we made.  It’s a fun and easy way to get students to really get creative with shaping.

And…if you liked this activity, check out another partner shape activity: Chicken in a Hen House!