First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

I have been teaching Kindergarten part-time for 5 months and will have a new group of 5 year olds in March-the class will have about 30 students. (So it will be a big class) Can anyone recommend some First Day/week activities for 5 year olds who have had no English exposure?

Thanks

Christine

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

Hi.
How long will your class be?
If I was in your situation, I would do headm shoulders, knees and toes, start off slow and get faster each time. Always a great warmer and the kids always enjoy it and get less nervous.

Then would just do something simple like "Whats your name" involving a ball. Demonstrate with your TA,drill the phrase, then pick a student, throw the ball to him/her and ask. Then he/she throw back and the student ask you. Since you have 30 students, maybe your TA (assuming you have 1) can assist you.
Then could have your students ask each other using balls.
Then could do a game in which the students sit in a circle and you say 2 names. Those students whose names were read out have to switch seats.

Can also do colours. Use flashcards to drill at first, then have them point to the same colour as the flashcard, then have students run to that colour (might be difficult with 30 students though)

Hope that helps a bit

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

If it is the first time, the kids may be nervous or excited. I would recommend starting really slowly. Actions are great, because kids can just imitate you. Start out by saying "jump" have the kids jump, clap hands, sit down, stand up, etc. Don't worry if they don't speak at first. After doing this for awhile, I recommend going into something very simple, like numbers. Something they are already maybe a bit familiar with. I have a free numbers song download you can use: Free Numbers Song for Kids MP3 download: Let's Count 1-10,1,2,3,4,5,Jump!

The idea above with head shoulders is great, first slowly teach the vocab, and then have the kids follow you along. I have a free download of this song too: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes-Free mp3 Download, free kids songs

After you have warmed up and relaxed the kids, sit them down and read a book to them. I have free books you can use here:
Free printable kids, childrens English picture books

Start off really slow and easy with the kids, and they will respond well. If you want to try "what's your name?" as mentioned above, I also have a free download for that:
Kids English song What's Your Name?
Hope this is a bit helpful! good luck!! -Matt

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

These are great! I will be definitely be using these ideas. Oh and my classes with the kindergarten are 30 min each, so these suggestions would fit well.

Thanks so much Sobek & Matt,

Best,

Christine

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

when you do colors with them, Ive had good luck with color bingo. Use blank cards and have them color each square a different color. then call out the colors like regular bingo. I teach in Japan, and kids here go crazy for any bingo kind of game.

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

ckw25- no need to thank...glad to be of help.
Make the most of the room you are in too. When i taught in my kindergarten, I taught the classes in the "playroom", which had loads of props i found useful to aid with teaching, Cushions I used for stepping stones, countless balls, tunnels, colourful walls and other toys and plenty of room to run around in

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

I don't know what it is about bingo, but you're right, they go mad for it.

QUOTE=xerxes99;19860]when you do colors with them, Ive had good luck with color bingo. Use blank cards and have them color each square a different color.[/quote]
That's a simple but great idea.

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

Sing sing sing!!!!

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

Hi!

My kindy classes love a good game of red light green light. Have them line up at the back, say green light, and let them walk quickly at you. Red light stops them. Hurry up / Hold on (Wait a minute) also does the same while teaching them useful phrases.

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Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

Great-Thanks!:)

Re: First Day Activities for 5 year olds?
 

everyone is so helpful. This means a lot to me. First time teaching esl kindergarten in Turkey. Thank you all so much! :)