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• Category: Warm-Up, Focus, Movement, Mimicry, Ice Breaker
• CLICK HERE to download PDF

Walk With Me aka Silly Walks

How To Play

Here’s how to lead “Walk With Me” in your classroom:

• Setup: Have all students stand in a circle.
• Starting the Game: The teacher or a designated leader will begin by walking around the inside of the circle, demonstrating a unique walk.
• Inviting Others: As the leader walks, they’ll stop in front of another student and say, “WALK WITH ME.”
• Joining In: The invited student will then join the leader, imitating their exact movement for a full loop around the circle. Encourage them to observe details like breath, upper body, and feet for a truly committed mimicry.
• New Leader: After completing the loop together, the original leader will take the invited student’s place in the circle. The student who was just invited now becomes the new leader, creating their own unique and fun walk for a full solo lap.
• Continuing the Game: The new leader will then stop in front of another student, say “WALK WITH ME,” and the game continues as before.
• Observation is Key: While in the circle, students should constantly observe the current leader’s walk, paying attention to details like hand and foot movements, breathing, and the overall quality of the movement (fluid vs. jerky, grounded vs. flighty). They never know when it will be their turn to mimic!
• Embrace the Movement: Remind students to truly embrace the movement when mimicking. The goal is to accept and give back, not to mock.
• Creativity and Commitment: Encourage students to get creative, be silly, and have fun with their walks, but without overthinking it. The aim is to make each other look great and foster a supportive environment.

Tricks & Variations

Here are some ways teachers can adapt “Walk With Me”:

• Full Space Exploration: Instead of staying in a circle, allow students to fill the entire room, strutting their unique walks all around the space.
• Entire Room Mimics: Rather than just one player following, have the entire class mimic the leader’s walk. The teacher can ring a bell or designate when a new leader should emerge with a new walk.
• “WALK WITH ME” into a Scene: At any point during the exercise, the moderator (teacher) can call out “GO!” At this moment, the current movement being performed will inspire a mini-scene. After a short time, call “SCENE!” and the “Walk With Me” game resumes.
• Teacher Tips: Remind students that the goal is always to make each other look good and to avoid putting anyone in danger. For a fun reference, you can even show students the “School of Funny Walks” sketch by Monty Python.

Benefits

“Walk With Me” offers several benefits for students:

• Enhances Focus and Presence: Students practice active listening and staying in the moment, particularly when observing and mimicking walks.
• Boosts Communication and Connection: Promotes effective non-verbal expression and helps build rapport among students as they collaborate through movement.
• Fosters a Lighthearted Atmosphere: Creates a fun, low-pressure environment conducive to learning, creative expression, and physical exploration.