Thanks for the powerpoint. Don't know if anybody else feels this way--but 4 lessons on "Hi I'm 000" and "Bye"? How will I ever come up with enough games for that? I thought I'd post two ideas for anyone else on that boat.
I played a version of pass the paper (or in my classroom, Pass the monkey). Which, because they are so young, they really loved. However, I am really grateful from this powerpoint. I changed the slides a little and we will play 'Heads up, 7 Up' in class on Monday. The difference? Printed cards with the main characters are given to each of the thumb pushers. (Thus the use of these printed ppt slides.)
For those who've never played 'Heads Up, Seven Up' here are the instructions.
1. The teacher selects 4-5 good students from the class (7 is too many to handle efficiently with 30 3rd graders) and gives them a character card. (Bobo, Kevin, etc.)
2. The teacher calls, 'Heads down thumbs up.'
3. The rest of the students cover their eyes and hold out a hand with their thumb up.
4. The students with character cards walk around the classroom and press ONE THUMB EACH.
5. They then return to the front of the classroom.
6. The teacher calls 'Heads up."
7. Each student whose thumb went down stands.
8. The teacher asks each student 'Who did it?'
9. The student guesses the character who pushed their thumb by saying 'Hi, 000.' (or an additional target phrase).
10. If they are right, the guesser and the guessee change spots. (Everyone in class says 'Bye 000.')
11. If the student is wrong, the guesser sits down. Every student standing has one chance to guess.
12. Once everyone has guessed, a new round starts. Play until you feel like stopping.
If you have a big class (like I do), I like to give more children an opportunity to stand. So any thumb pushers who are standing at the end of the round, I give candy. And select new people to replace them before starting the new round. Theoretically each child should get a turn.
Works well for phonics, reading, and route blocks of memorization. It sounds difficult to explain, but alot of acting helps. Also, after one or two rounds, even the clueless students get the hang of it. It's been a success in every class (and ability level) I've tried it in.