Imaginary Play

Practicing Facial Expressions: How would you feel if... 

Facial expressions are a very important part of acting especially when actors are not using words to tell a story like you see in Balloonacy.  Introduce your students to the importance of facial expressions with this activity!

Lesson Steps:

1. Tell students, "Facial expressions are also an important part of life- they help us understand how are friends are feeling and allow us to express how we are feeling. Today, we will practice understanding facial expressions and using our face expressively". 

2. Make facial expression for multiple feelings and ask students to explain how you are feeling. As you identify the feeling, write the word on the board and draw a face with the expression. 

   • Example feelings:

     • happy

     • sad

     • angry 

     • excited 

     • tired

     • surprised 

3. Now, ask students to practice making the facial expressions themselves.

4. Next, give students a situation and ask them how they would feel. Encourage them to share the word aloud. Then have them make the facial expression. Then, have them reverse- make the facial expression and then say the word.

   • Example Scenarios:

     • You get to eat ice cream for breakfast.

     • A friend takes your toy. 

     • It's your birthday! 

     • You stayed up realllllly late and got up reallllly early! 

     • You open up a box and find a... 

Balloon Games: Direction Words 

During Balloonacy, the Old Man plays some games with his balloon. Use a balloon (or ball if you don't want to worry about popping) to practice direction words in your classroom. 

Lesson Steps: 

1. Introduce students to the direction words of your choice. Write the word on the board as you introduce it. Some examples are:

   • up

   • down

   • right 

   • left

   • over 

   • under

2. Use a balloon to demonstrate the direction words you have just shared. (Example: take the balloon from the floor all the way above your head and say "up"!)

3. When students are ready for practice in the full group, pass the balloon to each child and have each demonstrate one of the word. 

   • Start with one word. For example, "Everyone pass the balloon to the right!" or "everyone hold the balloon UP above your head!"