1)Name games and the “name train”

Props needed: a few balls or beanbags

The kids stand in a circle. The idea is very simple, call out a classmate’s name and throw the ball to them. Once that person receives the ball, they must then throw it to someone else who has not had it yet. This continues until the ball comes back to the facilitator, which is usually the teacher. For the second round, have them pass it around in the same order but make them go a bit faster. Once they start getting the hang of it, throw a monkey wrench in and tell them that the green ball (or whatever color) must go backwards. Keep adding in variations like this such as a ball that goes in reverse order or just throw in another ball when they least expect it so by the end it basically gets really confusing.

The name train is another (get to know each other) activity. The kids stand in a circle. One person is selected to “start” the train. They go up to anyone in the circle and say, “it’s Johnny” (replace Johnny with the kid’s name) and end with “It’s Johnny, it’s Johnny, it’s johnny, johnny, johnny!). So now, the “train” reverses so Johnny now picks someone. Say he picks Ann. Everyone in the line, one at a time must say “It’s Ann” until it gets to the end and then everyone says “It’s Ann, It’s Ann, It’s Ann, Ann, Ann”. You continue like this until everyone is on the “train”

“Human Bingo” (all my groups LOVED this one!!)

Props needed : pre-made human bingo cards, pens or pencils for each student

Preparation: Make a 5×5 grid on a piece of paper so that it looks like a standard bingo card. Leave each block big enough so that you can write (or type if you prefer to do it on the computer) in it. In each block, you will want to put something that a student may have done or a characteristic that fits them. Try not to make it too easy and throw in a couple of obscure ones. You need to fill at least 24 of the 25 squares up (you can put a FREE in the middle)

Suggestions:

-loves eggplant parmesan

-favorite cereal is Captain Crunch

-was not born in (whatever state you live in)

-has an older sister

-has a sibling in college

-can recite the alphabet backwards without stopping

-throw in one that only the teacher can answer is always a good idea…I used to use “was born before 1990” but you can use others such as “has a driver’s license” or “is eligible to vote in the next election” or whatever. Sometimes the kids don’t catch on right away that the teacher is in the game as well.

To do this activity is very simple. The kids each have a card and pen(cil) and have to find someone to sign their sheet. When they get a row of 5 they yell out BINGO. You should establish the following rules before starting:

1-Each person can only sign your card twice (I would do three times, but only had sometimes 9 kids doing the activity and I am assuming you will have a bigger class than that).

2-The same person cannot sign your card twice in a row. You have to have someone else sign your card in between.

3-You may not sign your own card

If a kid gets BINGO rather quickly, you can just extend the activity until EVERYONE gets BINGO or play full card or whatever. It is a very adaptable game.

A few other suggestions (you can look them up on the internet for more info)

-2 truths and a lie (the kids will pick three facts, two of which are true and one is false…kids have to guess the false one)

-Hurricane or breeze? Ask the question “Are you more like a hurricane or a breeze and why?” to the class and let them answer.

Good luck with your class!!

Good luck on your first year of teaching!!

everyone has a famous name taped on their back

but they dont know who it is and have to go around and find their other half by asking questions AND by no other means

for example

batman must find robin by asking other people ?’s like

am i a boy or girl?

fictional or real?

other good couples

adam n eve

homer simpson n marge

rocky n bull winkle

etc…..