The Activity Bank

The GIVE Activity Bank is a resource bank of short activities or skill-based tasks that already include supports and accommodations to meet a range of students’ needs. These activities can be easily added to your lesson—with small adjustments for your unique students and classroom—to make it more inclusive.

These activities have been submitted as is by New York City Teaching Artists from New Victory Theater, ArtsConnection, and Community-Word Project.

  • Form a Circle

    Ages: Early Childhood (PK-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)
    Art Forms: Dance, Music, Theater

    This transition and skill-building activity offers strategies to teach students the skill of creating a circle in intentional and playful ways.

  • Going on a Trip

    Ages: Early Childhood (PK-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)
    Art Forms: Literary Arts, Music

    In this collaborative songwriting activity, students create rhymes and pack for an imaginary trip, developing creativity and rhyming skills.

  • Group Mirror

    Ages: Early Childhood (PK-2), Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
    Art Forms: Theater, Dance

    This physical warm-up activity invites students to practice being a leader and a follower while simultaneously teaching parts of the body and actions. It’s a g…

  • If I Were an Animal

    Ages: Early Childhood (PK-2)
    Art Forms: Visual Arts, Theater, Dance

    This activity activates students’ imaginations and incorporates making sounds and listening. It can be expanded to include movement.

  • Paint Your Space Warm-Up

    Ages: Early Childhood (PK-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)
    Art Forms: Dance

    This warm-up activity uses a guided improvisational structure. It can also be used to introduce the term "kinesphere" to older students.

  • Pass a Clap

    Ages: Early Childhood (PK-2), Upper Elementary (3-5)
    Art Forms: Music

    An introduction activity to build student focus and the class ensemble. It can also be used to introduce other musical concepts like rhythm and notes.

  • Pass the Love

    Ages: Early Childhood (PK-2), Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
    Art Forms: Media Arts, Visual Arts, Theater, Music, Literary Arts, Dance

    A closing ritual to reflect on the lesson, and to take a moment together as a whole class ensemble.

  • Rhyme Time

    Ages: Early Childhood (PK-2), Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
    Art Forms: Theater, Music, Literary Arts

    This activity is a great introduction to or review of rhyme as a tool for poetry, music, and theater.