In our first theater class of the term, eight enthusiastic sixth grade students began exploring the fundamentals of ensemble work. Through the activity Big, Tiny, Twisted, they were challenged to create shapes with their bodies—starting individually, then collaborating in small groups, and eventually working as a whole class. As they became more familiar with embodying these shapes, they experimented with using high, medium, and low levels to add visual interest to their formations. In the final group shape, the students discovered imaginative and unique ways to blend big, tiny, and twisted elements together. Throughout the process, they engaged in silent communication, creative problem-solving, and collaborative risk-taking—laying a strong foundation for ensemble-based theater work.
By Sarah Pikcilingis, seventh grade math teacher |
October 9, 2026
A seemingly simple warm-up exercise in a recent seventh grade math class posed the question, “For each pair of shapes, decide whether or not they are the same.” This warm-up should take 2 or 3 minutes. Instead, when they checked…
