This is a fun way to illustrate and activate how people carried themselves and how they talked to each other in these long-ago times. This description is of Civil War times – it could easily work for any historical period.

The entire class.

How It Works:

·        First, have the entire class pretend to be ladies of the time.  Have them spread thumb and forefinger so that their forefingers touch their hips and their thumbs reach up toward their armpits.  This is the segment of their bodies that they cannot bend (because they have on corsets).  Now, have them imagine their hoop skirts, their bonnets, their gloves.  When they have all imagined themselves dressed as 19^th C women, have them give a little curtsey and say, in a Southern accent, “Evenin’ Suh,”  (that’s “Evening, Sir.”) as if they were at a party.

·        Now, they all pretend to be men. Have them put their thumbs on their collar bones and stick their forefingers up into the chins to simulate the paper collars men wore. Now, have them imagine their long pants, their paper collars, their fancy cravats and their top hats. Leaving one hand at the collars so they "feel" the pinch, have them raise their imaginary hats and say, "Evenin', Ma'am,"

·        Now everyone plays their own gender and all walk around the room, greeting each other as appropriate, as if they were dressed in 19^th C formal ware.