Classroom Activities

Spell the Word

Activity Time: 10–15 minutes

Concepts Taught: Spelling

This is a quick spelling game. All children in the class stand to begin the game. The teacher calls out the spelling word and the first person says the first letter, the next person says the second letter, the next person says the third letter and so on until the word is spelled. When the word has been spelled the next person would say “wolf”. The teacher then calls out the next word and moves around the room (like the game of around the world with flash cards). If a student says an incorrect letter, he/she sits down and the next person must be ready with the correct letter of the word. The object of the game is to still be standing after all spelling words have been called out. The students love the game once they get the hang of it. The students are very attentive and quiet during the game so they will know what letter to call out when it is their turn.

How Do You Do

Activity Time: 15–30 min

Concepts Taught: Learning the names of classmates

Play this game outside. Have the children make a large circle and remain standing. Choose one child 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 child 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” when they meet. The first one back to the spot where the “How do you do” began is the one to introduce him/herself to another child. The game goes on.

Tell Me Your Name

Activity Time: 15–30 min.

Concepts Taught: Learning the names/likes/characteristics of classmates

Name games can be played at any time of the year but are especially important at the first. They are also useful when new children arrive.

Have the children sit in a circle. Have the game starter begin with “My name is ____ and I like __________.” The child to the left says, “His/Her name is ____ and s/he likes __________. My name is _____ and I like ____.”

And so on around the circle.

Variations

Say your name and an adjective that describes you.

Say your name and an adjective that describes you that begins with the same letter as your name.

Grammar in Songs

Materials Required: Concepts studied, chalk board, chalk

Activity Time: 20–40 min.

Concepts Taught: Review prepositions (or other topics)

To review prepositions, I had written down 75 names of songs that contained prepositional phrases on strips of paper. The steps for the game:

~ Cut out each prepositional phrase individually & fold in half.

~ Break the class into two teams.

~ Two students from one team go to the board.

~ Students choose one song out of a hat.

~ Together the students use pictionary and/or charades to get their team to say the name of the song for a point.

~ A second point is earned when the team identifies the prepostional phrases within the song. One point for each phrase.