Honestly, if there's no co-teacher in there with you then how would they know what you're doing? Can you just try to focus on easier things? Yeah, it sucks but for things like "How are you today?" just focus on the answers. (Happy, sad, angry, etc.) Find some songs online and play those. Get the kids to run and touch the angry face when you say "I'm angry". Have them do a lot of coloring sheets if possible.
Oh no, I am in basically the same boat. I'm so sorry that you are in a similar situation! I have a co, but she is more of a nuisance than anything. She has zero tech in her room, and had me sing Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes acappella 12 (yes, 12!!) times in one class. The kids were beyond bored after the 5th time or so. She also won't let them color or play; she made them sit and listen, and the only time they could do anything was when they were copying me. She doesn't want me doing ABCs, or anything other than listening to me sing (which I'm not good at, and can't do for 40 minutes straight!). I plan on doing more stories and talking, maybe things the kids will find more entertaining like "Five Little Ducks" and "Once I Caught a Fish of Mine" that can be both books and songs. I also want to tell her that as it is my class, I want to use actual music! I have a speaker I can bring just for my time with them. Maybe you can do the same, or at least talk to your school about your ideas. A teacher friend of mine who has been in Korea for 6 years said if you do this, start the suggestion with "how about let's try..." to ease the school into the idea...lol.But, until I can make that happen, I am going to be bringing stories and doing a lot of dances and chants with them. Pete the Cat is always good!
For some of the phrases, like the 'how are you' responses, I think a pictionary game on the board could work? When someone guesses right, you can drill the words/phrases. You might be able to turn it into an individual drawing game, too, by giving the students some paper and getting them to draw the feelings you say, then drilling when you reveal the answers. An acting game could be good, too-- not sure about grade 1s but grade 3/4s LOVE acting. Make a big show of acting a particular feeling, and have them tell you the feeling. That way, you can get them acting while you drill the phrases. And you could do vice versa too-- get the students to over-act a certain feeling.Depending on your school's social distancing requirements, you may be able to play something like broken telephone/the whisper game using the phrases you've been assigned (for my school, this is OK as long as the students are sitting at their desks and stay on the correct side of their desk shield/dividers). Simon Says could be good, if you can get the gist of the rules across. I hope some of those ideas are helpful, and best of luck to you! That sounds like a really tough situation!
