| What? Already?! Teachers are busy preparing | | | | signature should be clearly written in order |
| for the new school year. One way to set a | | | | to count. The first child to fill his sheet |
| positive tone in the classroom is to make | | | | is the winner. If you want to add a little |
| sure all the children know one another. Here | | | | physical activity, have children who are |
| are a few introduction games. (NOTE: Any | | | | finished walk around the room several times |
| group of people who need to make | | | | and then take their seats. |
| introductions can play these games.) Have | | | | |
| fun! | | | | 4. For this game, use several hoops or large, |
| | | | circular pieces of butcher paper. This is an |
| 1. While students are sitting on desktops or | | | | innovation of "Musical Chairs" so have a |
| standing in a circle, the teacher tosses a | | | | music source available! When the music stops, |
| ball to a student who then introduces himself | | | | children who wind up in the same hoop |
| and tells his favorite game or activity. He | | | | introduce themselves. Instead of walking |
| then tosses the ball to another student who | | | | while the music plays, perhaps your children |
| repeats the procedure. Make sure each child | | | | could hop, jump, skip, etc. As hoops are |
| has a turn to introduce himself. Try playing | | | | removed in each round, have the children in |
| a few minutes each day so children can also | | | | that hoop tell something about themselves. |
| name their favorite food, place to visit, | | | | |
| musical group, TV show...whatever you want. | | | | 5. Let your children form groups of five to |
| | | | ten. At the beginning, each child announces |
| 2. While children are sitting in a circle in | | | | his name, clearly, to the group. Then let the |
| a darkened classroom, the player in the | | | | group decide how a ball will be |
| middle spins a flashlight on the floor. (If | | | | passed...rolled, bounced, tossed, rolled |
| children are standing in a circle, the player | | | | around back and then tossed, etc. A player is |
| in the middle spins around while holding the | | | | to say his own name, as well as his new |
| flashlight facing outwards.) The child who is | | | | classmate's name, when he releases the ball. |
| "in the spotlight" when the flashlight stops | | | | For instance, "My name is Bill and yours is |
| must introduce himself and tell something | | | | Anna." A variation is to have the entire |
| else about himself. That person then becomes | | | | group call out the name of the person who |
| the next spinner. Give children ideas of what | | | | catches the ball. Add details when the names |
| to tell about themselves...favorite movie, | | | | have been learned...favorite pet, birthday, |
| best quality, favorite famous person, | | | | etc. |
| favorite school subject, and so on. | | | | |
| | | | I hope these ideas have been useful and have |
| 3. Have children fold a piece of paper into a | | | | inspired your own creativity. Have a |
| certain number of squares. They must then go | | | | wonderful, rewarding year! |
| get signatures from their new classmates, who | | | | |
| must introduce themselves as well. Each | | | | And remember...Reading is FUNdamental! |