OPENING ACTIVITY — MACHINE IMPROV

Mary Ann got the ball rolling with an idea...

we could do groups creating human rube goldberg machines.. then set them in motion to a rhythm someone in the group beats out and then have someone in the group film it or snap it. whichever groups want to get up and share can. then post/display them for all to enjoy!

ties in rube,tech,innovation, music,creative movement, improv,collaboration, creativity and fun!

in improv/theatre games it is called,"make an offer, take an offer", or the "yes, and..." game, where you take a suggestion and , add to it, tweak it, modify it..etc. so this is a starting place.. let's see where it will evolve into something fun for our starter!

A few more ideas get tossed in...

Maybe with the sound that you can incorporate your name in some interesting way to go with your movement? Maybe try adding the red ball in somehow too? And then of course you be sure to add the big invisible steering wheel or button adjust for the machines sound volume and speed.

...and we share some video examples of what we are talking about...

Improv Warm-Ups: Machines -- powered by eHow.com

The Warm Up activity goals are:

• Make sure everyone introduces themselves.
• Make sure that everyone can feel comfortable enough to say something, but keep it moving so you don't get anyone stopping the activity from picking up momentum.
• Make sure that you encourage people to work in a variety of social interactions: together in a big groups, in small groups (or partnering) and individually (quiet journaling + out there crazy collaborative games).
• Make sure that there is built in success for everyone.
• Make sure that it's fun, fun, fun.
• After everyone has fun, fun, fun, be sure to deconstruct the lesson in an engaging way. (so everyone understands the step — break it down — so they can duplicate the activity with their kids in the classroom)
• Allow for comments/reflection/journaling.
• Give everyone a take away sheet that outlines the activity so they have a way to remember. And put that info online for downloading too.