Introducing Still Life

What is Still Life? Students use their bodies to make frozen pictures to embody and illustrate the curriculum. It can be done with individuals, groups, or the whole class!

Why does it engage students? It allows them to move and be creative, while at the same time letting them inhabit the curriculum material, understanding it from the inside out. In groups they enjoy the teamwork and collaborative success in engenders.

How does it improve learning? Students create stronger neural connections because they use multiple modalities to learn the material (kinesthetic, emotional, auditory, and visual). It links experiential understanding with oral language and give students an emotional attachment to curriculum. This expression of concepts works as a very effective preparation for oral/written expression.

When can it be used in class? To understand success criteria and build group cohesion, to process ideas and concepts presented by the teacher, and to structure ideas for oral/written presentation.