Required Props: None 

How It Works: 

Half of the class lines up on one side of the room (Group A), facing a partner on the other side of the room (Group B).  At this point, you explain that no person, other than the teacher, is allowed to use real language in this game.  The only form of communication that is permitted is physical expression, gibberish and sound effects. 

The teacher asks Side A to turn around (you may want them to make noise so they can not hear).  While their backs are turned, you bring Side B in to a huddle around you.  You tell them a story (as long as there is a plot progression, the details of the story can be as zany as you would like). 

Some examples:

  • “You are rowing in a boat when you realize the boat springs a leak.  The boat starts to sink when all of a sudden a flying horse swoops down from the sky, picks you up in its teeth, flies you to land and sets you safely down.”
  • “You are playing the trumpet in an orchestra.  The trumpet stops working, so you reach in to see what is wrong with it.  As you reach in, thousands of little bugs crawl out, up your arm and in to your hair.  You grab a cup of water, wash the bugs out, then continue playing the trumpet.”
  • “You are swimming in the ocean when a whale swims by and swallows you whole.  Inside the whale’s stomach, you conveniently find a feather.  You tickle the whale’s stomach, causing the whale to blow you out the blowhole.” 

Again, be as creative and bizarre as you want, as long as there is plot progression.  At this stage, Side A is asked to turn back around.  You explain that Side B will have 30 seconds to convey the story you just told them to their partner using nothing but movement, gibberish and sound effects.  In addition, Side A can only respond with the same things (they can not guess/deconstruct the story through language – you may have to reiterate this a few times throughout the exercise). 

After 30 seconds, both sides sit on the floor, and the teacher asks to hear 4 or 5 of the interpretations from Side A.  Usually, especially in Round 1, their interpretation is way off (which is part of the fun).  The teacher then asks for a student on Side B to reveal the actual story. 

After round 1, it helps to make comments about a) not being afraid to be a little silly with the physical expression and b) being as specific as possible with the movements. 

Round 2 has Side B face the wall, and Side A huddles in to hear the next story.  As the game goes on and the students get more comfortable with their physical expression, the interpretations start to become more accurate. 

“Tell That Story” is a great game to help students break down that wall that prevents them from being expressive.  Going back and forth, allow each side to ‘tell’ 2-3 stories.

 Further hints: 

  • If you would like, switch partners every two rounds
  • You will have to reiterate a few times that the ‘guessing’ side must also use gibberish and movement
  • If you notice any students in any round whose movement is particularly expressive and specific, comment on it after the round is complete.