One-off Workshop: Melting objects

I have used the activities here, all based on the theme of melting objects, with Key Stages 1 to 4 – and they work equally well across the whole age range. Younger students love the challenge of keeping still, but there's plenty for older age groups to work on too; mime, controlled movement and lack of facial expression require discipline and concentration and can be used to create great atmospheric effect.

Ask all students to find themselves a space. Tell them that they are to imagine they're a frozen ice lolly in a freezer; the type of ice lolly is up to them and they should try to show the shape of the ice lolly they choose physically in their mime – Rocket, Twister, Fab, 99 Flake, and so on. Once everyone is in role, announce and mime that you are turning the freezer off. Now the class must slowly defrost as they imagine their lolly would – slowly going soft and limp and eventually melting in a puddle on the floor.