Here are new twists to some old games that are great for learning when you can't go out and play.
What’s That
Jive?
This game is
similar to Red Rover. Divide the
class into two teams and have them stand on opposite sides of the room facing
each other. Give each player a
flash card to hold in front of them.
The teacher goes to one team and asks, “Who do you want to call
over?” The children select someone
from the opposite side and say the word they are holding, “Word, word, what’s that
jive? Come on over and give us
five.” The child holding that word
walks to the other line and goes down the row giving high five to friends as
they read the word. The game
continues as sides take turns calling words to come over.
Heads Up- Seven
Up
Seven children
come to the front of the room and are given a flash card with a word, math
fact, etc. on it. The rest of the
class places their heads down. The
seven tiptoe around and place a flash card by a friend before returning to the
front of the room. The seven join
in and say, “Heads up! Seven up!” Children who received a flash card
stand up and read their word. They
then try to guess who gave them the flash card and switch places.
Musical Chairs
You remember the
old game where you placed chairs in a circle and walked around until the music
stopped? If you didn’t find a
chair you were OUT! This is a
similar game that can be used to reinforce letters, words, math facts. etc.
Write letters, words, math facts, etc. on paper plates. Scatter them on the floor. Play some catchy music for the children
to dance to. When the music
stops each child finds a paper plate and picks it up. The teacher randomly points to various children to identify
the information on their plates.
If the child is
unsure about what is on her plate invite her to “ask the audience.”
"The Farmer in the Dell," "London Bridge," and "Lassie and Laddie" are other oldies, but they are still goodies!