First of all I would like to say a huge “Thank you” to all of you who emailed and commented last week. I was really blown away with how much loving support you all gave me. It was such a pleasant surprise. And it has made such a difference. Thank you so much.
I couldn’t resist the Christmas fun entirely though, so here are a few last minute Christmas party games. And I’ll also try this week to upload some of the Christmas songs I was hoping to bring to you. They won’t be finished, but we might be able to make them into something for next year.
Here are a few little Christmas party games, just in case you have a need for some last minute ideas…
Double want for Christmas
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A variation on the “Pink Fish” game. Put two sets of Christmas picture cards on two tables at opposite ends of the class. Everyone shouts out “What would you like for Christmas?” One kid from each group runs to one table and picks up a card, then to the next table and picks another card. Then they come back to their group and shout out “I’d like a ….. and a ……” whilst holding up the two cards. Quickest team is the winner.
Snowball Wipeout!
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Put some Christmas picture cards on the board. Behind each one secretly put a post it note with a number of points. The kids choose one of the cards (use whatever level English you think they can do). You turn the card over and they get that many points. But if it says “Wipeout!” all their points are lost!
Buy me!
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This is a fun game we had on the blog the other day. Put up some Christmas picture cards on the board and write a price under each one. You shout out a price and the kids shout out “How much is the …..” with the name of the correct card.
Tower of Presents
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Based on the “Tower Game“. Wrap some big, huge empty boxes as presents. Ask the kids a question based on some English they’ve done this year. The quickest team gets to pick a box and use it to start building a tower of presents! The tower gets higher and higher, but if it falls that team has to start again from the beginning. The oversized presents also make great decorations for your party.
Baby Santa put on your ………….
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Review the Baby Monkey Winter Clothes song. Then use the karaoke version to change the words to be “Baby Santa put on your ….” Then play a game with Santa outfits, you say “Baby Santa put on your …” and the kids have to race to put that item of clothing on! You might want to change “scarf” for “beard”.
Plus of course it’s great to finish off with lots of Genki English Christmas songs, all of which you can find on the main Christmas page of the site at https://genkienglish.net/Christmas.htm
Thank you,
Richard
Richard, are you all right working on the computer? I’ve been so worried.
But thank you very much for these ideas. As I’m always asked to do something interesting at church, your ideas help me a lot. (And I spend most of the days at church this week.)
Please don’t spend too much time on the computer.
I hope your eyes recover completely soon.
I can only do a few minutes at a time. But not doing work was driving me more crazy!!!!!
I’m going to incorporate the first two games into my lessons today.
Thank you Richard, it’s great to have these games to add to my teaching tools, but not at the cost of your eyesight! Take it easy and let your eyes heal.
Hi Liza,
I hope I don’t sound ungrateful by posting so soon. I do so much appreciate everyone’s support last week, I was really so surprised how much everything meant to everyone. It really helped, and I was, still am, very, very moved.
The doctors have said that I should build up my time slowly each day. Completely resting then going back to work in January probably isn’t the best way. Legally I am allowed to drive, but I wouldn’t trust any driver who’s just had LASIK!
I’m not doing a lot of work (sorry for everyone’s email replies, I do have too many of those to do, but I do read each and every one – albeit slowly!) but doing the fun stuff like this really makes me a feel a lot better. I type a bit, look away a lot, then type a bit more. And I really want to bring some Christmas cheer back to me and everyone so I think my 20 minutes or so a day I’d like to spend making things for you all. If that’s OK?
Hi Richard
Great to hear things are getting a little better.
My daughter actually showed me how she uses a microphone when dictating her diary onto word!!! I was amazed as I had assumed she sat and typed it!! She gives the computer all sorts of commands and it obeys. I imagine it may help if you have to type to use a microphone. Please do not ask me how though!!!
I actually had my last school where I teach younger children today. We played the ski game and had a massive review. I normally take a skier and snowboarder to use on the slopes, however today I took Baby monkey and Grandma! It was so funny as Grandma was actually facing backwards!! The children loved it and found it really funny.
P.S It was minus 17 when I went to work at 7.30am and is now only up to minus 8. So glad it was a lot warmer when you visited Austria!
I did the Christmas picture card game today with a group of 2nd years – it was a huge hit. Tomorrow I#ll use two or more wipeout cards as today the students quickly worked out where the one wipeout card was and studiously avoided picking that flashcard!
The Pink Fish game is on the cards for tomorrow. Thanks again for the games.
Richard, I’m relieved that your spirits seem to have lifted some!! That’s good news! 🙂
Thanks for the games, they are really neat. I hope I can use them next year… School is out here now and I was so bummed out when the Director of the school cancelled English classes last week! After all the time I had spent getting everything all lined up to have them cancelled… but the bit hit for my junior high classes was the “What color is Christmas?” song.
Ok enjoy your 20 min on the computer!!
HI all, its almost christmas and am searcing feverishly for new games. I like the “wipeout” game idea however, my kids do a LOT of complaining when they are losing, or lose points etc, so i thought instead of wipe out alone i was thinking, wipe out OR santa`s HO HO HO, so in other words, althoug they are shy, they have an option, to lose all their points, or they can do the santa action,,,(red face) to save their points. many are shy and dont want to do the action am sure but it sure beats losing your points and everyone can get a good laugh and a nice chance to take a photograph to give to the parents. perhaps even bring in the santa hat as well.
How about this game – “where is santa” have a kid from each team ready, and have all the A4 size cards laid on the floor. Hide a small santa under one of the cards. Each kid from their teams, choose a card to stand on, one at a time, (and saying the word or sentance) then judging by the distance, if a child is standing near the santa you say warm, and the closer they get you continue by saying hot, HOT, HOTTER, where as, if they stand on a card that is far from santa you give them the clue by saying its cold,,,,its freezing,,,,its BALTIC!!! whatever you wanna say to get the point across. So they are basically one by one hopping onto the cards in order to find santa….doesnt have to be santa either, it can be the funny cute Turkey,,,lol. WHERES THE christmas turkey ,,,,I`m hungry!