The Halloween 'Pass the parcel' game.

 

 

The Halloween 'Pass the parcel' game.
Subject	Suitable for almost any vocabulary. The parcel can be a ‘present’ a shopping bag, a toy box or anything else your imagination can create.
Group size:	Suitable for all class sizes and can be played with one teacher.
Materials	`parcels` (At least two so that the next can be prepared while the first is in play.) The parcel needs a plastic sleeve into which the focus card can be slipped Vocabulary cards. I used ‘good’ and ‘bad’ items randomly. Music of your choice.

 

Game set up.

Go through the vocabulary in the standard way and drill. Place a vocabulary card into the `parcel`. Sit the students in a circle.

 

Playing rules.

Pass the parcel while the music is playing. (Here you are…) When the music stops, draw the object out and award points. Identify the object and say the structures. I usually play one round per student with the younger ones.

Variations.

You could add, and I do, `danger cards` to the vocabulary.

Richard’s comments. Makes a good party game for Christmas and Halloween.

 

 

The lucky dip house.

 

The lucky dip house.
Subject	Almost any vocabulary that can fit behind the windows. Including family members, pets, furniture, rooms, the weather, Halloween or Christmas characters and so on.
Richard’s comments.	This is a really simple game that is none the less, always popular. Just remember to ham up the presentation as it is an ‘on the board’ game. Try loosing the house keys for the door for example.
Group size:	The game is suitable for all class sizes.
Team teaching game?	The game can be played with one teacher but you will need a little energy to sell it.
Materials	The ‘house’, every classroom should have one. Vocabulary cards to place behind the door and windows.
Game set up.	Drill the vocabulary to be used in the house. Simply place the vocabulary cards behind each door/window. Identify winning/losing objects. Throw in a danger ‘person/object’ or two to make up for any lack of vocabulary or just because you can... Halloween monsters are always good value. Ramp up the ‘ham’ acting.

 

 

 

Playing rules.	Choose a colour. ‘I like …’ ‘Open the door/window.’ Identify the objects and award points for those finding ‘winning’ cards.
Variations.	Try it as a memory game. Can you find the character or item?   You could just have a set of individual doors or windows.

The Halloween 'custard pie' game.

 

The Halloween ’custard pie’ game.
Subject	Phonics and Halloween vocabulary.
Richard’s comments.	A nice game for bigger classes. We’ve played this with little ones and parents. That’s fun too.
Group size:	Suitable for classes of 1-15 or so.
Team teaching game?	Can be played with one teacher. Bigger classes may require a little more support.
Materials	Halloween vocabulary. Phonics cards (You will need two sets of phonics cards) A ‘Custard pie’, ‘Balloon on a stick’ or a couple of ‘rain cloud’ ‘pom poms’ Points
Game set up.	Divide into two teams and lay one set of letters on the floor in a circle.

 

Playing rules.

Playing in teams.  Shuffle the phonics cards. Each student is given a letter. They must identify the letter, find and stand on (or behind) the corresponding letter on the floor. If you want to, you can introduce Halloween vocabulary at this point.  The teacher the shuffles the remaining cards.  I asked older students to give me a word beginning with their letter or complete a structure for a bonus point.  The teacher takes a card, identifies it and then the teacher goes to stand on that letter.  Using the chosen prop, (‘Custard pie’, ‘Balloon on a stick’, ‘rain cloud’ ‘pom-poms’) the teacher attempts to tap any student in range on the head. If the teacher can reach one student (or more) then that student must retire the field. Repeat the teacher action three times with different letters. Surviving players win a point  Repeat from the beginning The team with the most collective points at the end of the game wins the game.

Variations.

Obviously suitable for other vocabulary too.

 

Counting and colours for small children.

Counting and colours exercise.
Subject:	Colours. Numbers. Individual topics.
Richard’s comments:	My number 1, go to, all star activity for young students (0-3). Ideally suited to the level with stacks of teaching. A number one choice. I do this once a month in one form or other.
Group size:	Small classes of up to six or so.
Team teaching game?	Small children will need support.
Materials:	This one takes a bit of preparation but is worth the effort. You will need a subject in multiple colours.   Here is my washing line version. Each student has a washing line (with t-shirts to overlay). Each student will need one t-shirt of each colour.
		Laundry
Game set up:	Each student has a base.   Review the numbers: with the basic question. “How old are you?” A counting song of your choice.   Review the colours: with the basic question. “What colour do you like?” Colour song of your choice.

 

Playing rules:			Hanging out the washing. You have a number of options. I develop the lesson in this order but you may prefer a different one. 1 The teacher shows a colour card saying the colour name. The students repeat the colour name. 2 The teacher says ‘I like colour.’ And the students find the correct colour. 3 The teacher asks ‘What colour is it/this?’ The students answer the question and find the correct colour. 4 The teacher asks ‘What colour do you like and offers the remaining choices. The student answers ‘I like colour.’ And chooses the correct colour.   The teacher shows a colour card. The students need to collect an object of the same colour and place it over the matching colour on the base.   Count the objects at intervals (I use 4 and all 7)   Sing the ‘rainbow’ song.
Variations:	Fish. Just add a tank…			Pencils/crayons. …in a pencil case
	Christmas…(stocking)			Umbrellas… (Rainbow)
	Halloween… (Candy bag)			Candles… (Birthday cake)
		Caterpillar sections.		Train/transport