TAPS

This is a fantastic warm up game for all ages. I learned it in my acting training program. It also goes by the name: “Give What You Get".”By itself, this is not a language development activity, but I include it here, because it was such an integral part of our English through Drama program. We did it probably 3 days a week as soon as the students walked in. Just for two or three minutes. It was calming and focusing, and brought us all together. One thing I’ve learned through my study of Social Emotional Learning and Trauma sensitive teaching, is that having an activity that is calming can go a long way to making an inviting classroom. This was essential in this class where students might have come from rather challenging situations, and just a few minutes of this activity provided students with a comfortable entry point into the class. I know they were more prepared for the challenging language activities ahead.

Here are the steps:

  1. Students stand, or sit in a circle, close enough that they can touch.

  2. Have a metrnome set, for what feels like a comfortable tempo.

  3. The leader initiates an action. The one I usually do is tap the student to the left of me on the shoulder. Make sure you hit the beat.

  4. The student, waits for the next beat, and gives the student to the left of them a tap on their left shoulder, in essence they give what they get.

  5. It continues this way until everyone has settled into the rhythm—usually 2 or 3 times around the circle.

  6. While that tap is going (to the left) I initiate the same movement, a tap on the shoulder, to the person to my right.

  7. Both taps are going around simultaneously. Remind students to focus on what they are feeling (You can have students close their eyes for another level of this) and to give what they get.

  8. At one point one student will receive both taps. They decide how to continue sending them (in drama classes this helps introduce the concept of “conflict”. It is interesting to see.

  9. Continue this way for a bit…then add another, and another tap, staggering taps.

  10. You can also initiate other touches (a tap on the back, a soft touching of the elbow, or knee, etc.) that are appropriate for your students.

    1. That’s it—play around with it and enjoy.

      Side coaching here is: “Give what you get” “Don’t anticipate” “Listen and Feel” “Don’t watch the tap, feel it” “Stay on the beat. Don’t rush”