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Back to School Activities
Name Game:
Hello children, here we are,
At school from near and far.
Today we are going to play a game.
Please stand when I call your name.
Note: This can be used when attendance is taken.
How Do You Do?
(Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")
Good morning, (student's first name and last).
How are you?
Good morning, (student's first name and last).
How are you?
How are you this special day?
We're glad you came to play.
Good morning, (student's first name and last).
How are you?
Teacher shakes each student's hand as verse is sung.
This is What We Do At School
(Tune: "Mulberry Bush")
This is the way we go to school, go to school, go to school.
This is the way we go to school so early in the morning.
This is the way we walk in the hall...
This is the way we hang up our coats...
This is the way we sit at our desks...
This is the way we ask for help...
This is the way we walk to lunch...
(add additional phrases to teach classroom rules)
Drop the Blanket Name Game
Students are divided into two teams. Each team sits on the floor facing the other team. A blanket is held by two volunteers (teacher and a student) between the two groups. Each team then quietly chooses one member of their team to sit just behind the blanket and ahead of their own team. At this point the chosen individuals are sitting facing each other, but concealed by the blanket. The blanket is then dropped and the two students quickly identify his opponent. A point is scored for the team who shouts out the opposing person's name first.
Modification: Each team can reveal a verbal clue describing the chosen individual directly behind the blanket, prior to the dropping of the blanket.
How Well Do You Know Me?
Divide students into groups of two. Students must attempt to answer the following questions about their partner. Even if they don't know the answer, encourage them to guess for more fun. After both students have answered all of the questions, students will share with their partners. Students should correct their answers without erasing their original guesses.
1. What is this student's first name?
2. What is this student's middle name?
3. What is this student's last name?
4. How long has this student lived in this city?
5. How many siblings does this student have?
6. Does this student like to swim?
7. Does this student like sports?
8. What is this student's favorite sport?
9. In which month is this student's birthday?
10. Does this student have any pets? What kind of pets?
11. What is this student's favorite subject?
12. What is this student's favorite game?
13. What is this student's favorite TV show?
14. What is this student's favorite movie?
15. To where has this student gone on vacation?
16. What is this student's special talents?
17. Who is this student's favorite famous person?
18. What is this student's favorite color?
19. What is this student's least favorite subject?
20. What does this student want to be when he/she grows up?
Listening Game
Students should start and stop each activity after receiving a predetermined cue.
(lights on/off, small bell, hand clap, throat clearing, etc.)
Can we walk in place slowly?
Can we walk in place fast?
Can we run in place slowly?
Can we run in place fast?
Can we hop in place slowly?
Can we hop in place fast?
Can we slide to the left or side slowly?
Can we slide to the right or side fast?
Can we gallop forward slowly?
Can we gallop backwards fast?
Can we skip forward slowly?
Can we skip backwards fast?
Can we jump forward just a little bit at a time?
Can we jump backwards just a little bit at a time?
Can we stand on our right foot and balance ourselves for 10 seconds?
Can we stand on our left foot and balance ourselves for 10 seconds?
Can we hop on our right foot in a circle?
Can we hop on our left foot in a circle?
Can we jump from left to right?
Can we hop from left to right?
Can we bend over and touch our toes with our fingers?
Can we reach for the sky with our arms?
Can we lie on our stomachs and jump up as quickly as possible?
Can we lie on our backs and jump up as quickly as possible?
Can we stand in place and jump as high as we can?
Can we slide to the left and jump?
Can we slide to the right and jump?
Can we stand on our left foot and hop forward?
Can we stand on our right foot and hop forward?
Can we stand on our left foot and hop backward?
Can we stand on our right foot and hop backward?
How Do You Do?
Play this game outside. It resembles Drop the Handkerchief.
Have the students make a large circle and remain standing. Choose one student to start. Have the game starter walk around the outside of the circle and stop behind one person and say, "Hi, I'm ____." The other student turns around and says, "Hi, I'm ____." They then shake hands saying, "How do you do, how do you do, how do you do?" Each then runs in opposite directions around the circle saying "How do you do's" when they meet. The first one back to the spot where the "How do you do's" began is the one to introduce him/herself to another. The game goes on.
Memory Name Game
Choose a student to start the game. This student says their name and tells about an activity that they enjoy. The student then develops a movement to represent this activity.
The next student in the group or row then stands up and repeats step one for him/herself. Then this student has to repeat what the first student has said and the movement the previous student did.
These steps are repeated with all the students until everyone has had a turn or the students can go no further. The last student has the hardest job of remembering all the names and movements.
Modifications:
With younger students, instead of going through the whole class, you can play by individual row or table. A student can be picked to give clues to other students who get stuck.
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