Drama Game: Who's For Breakfast?

Age: 5 to adult

Players: Whole class/small groups

Time: 10 minutes

Skills: Movement, cooperation

Mark out a circular shape (like a plate or bowl) in the centre of the space. You can use chalk or masking tape, or just make a circle. Everybody stands around the ‘plate’. Explain the rules of the game: you will announce a theme and students should step in one at a time, say what they are and use their bodies to make shapes.

Announce a mealtime, for example breakfast, lunch, dinner or tea.

• Students should step in one at a time as an item of food they think is suited to the meal
• They say what they are and make the shape of the food item
• When the plate is full or you have a balanced meal, say ‘Bon Appétit!’ to clear the space and start again.

Only one idea at a time should be added so that everyone can see and hear what's being included. With a larger class, it often works best to go round the circle in order. Not everybody has to step in (those who didn't have a go can play next time). Players should think about how their objects relate to each other, how they can make interesting shapes and how they can use different levels (high, medium or low).

Using this game, you can explore a variety of themes and test students' knowledge:

• Step in as favourite food/meat/fruit/vegetables
• Healthy/unhealthy food
• Carbohydrates, proteins, fats
• Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free
• Foods containing minerals/vitamins
• Ingredients for particular recipes, for example chocolate cookies, mixed salad or a pizza

Variation

Divide the class into small groups and give them five minutes to ‘prepare’ a type of meal or a collection of dishes, such as starter, mains, dessert. Each group can be given a different theme, written on a card. They should practise making each bowl or plate and moving quickly between them. Afterwards, groups can show their work while the others try to guess the meal or food items.

Example themes

Italian, Asian, French, British, Greek, Mexican, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, non-dairy, fast food, raw food, picnic, barbecue…