Friday Game Day (with a little freebie!)

Wow! Friday again! This week has flown past... first week back at school for the year and first week of Kindy for my little girl too!

For those people who also had their first week back, how did it go? I know that no matter how much I prepare or how organised I think I am, I always feel as though I'm chasing my tail first week back! It was a great week though, I had some of the same kiddos from last year and some brand newies too... they are all such sweet kids.  We only have 12 in the class for this term which is WONDERFUL! It means I can really get to know the kids and where they're at with their learning, Though the class will quickly fill up with term 2, 3, 4 starters throughout the year!

For this week's game, I thought I'd share one that is SUCH an oldie, but a goodie....

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

Its a great game to use as an ice breaker, as it encourages all kids to speak and helps students (and me!) to remember everyone's names.

One person is chosen to start the game off and be 'it'. The whole class joins in the following chant (we also make a clap hands/pat lap pattern in time to the chant)

CLASS :                   'Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

                               '___(First person who is 'it')___ stole the cookie from 

                              the cookie jar.'

IT PERSON:              'Who me?'

CLASS:                    'Yes, you'

IT PERSON:             'Couldn't be'

CLASS:                    'Then who?'

IT PERSON:             '____(Chooses another class member)___ stole the         

                              cookie from the cookie jar'

2nd IT PERSON:       'Who me?'

CLASS:                   'Yes, you'

2nd PERSON:           'Couldn't be'

CLASS:                   'Then who?'

2nd PERSON            '____ stole the cookie from the cookie jar'

                                  .... and the chant continues!

I also have a small maths/literacy activity that I use with this game... you can download a copy of it here.

I get the kids to cut out some cookies and glue them in the cookie jar (that we glue on coloured paper). They then cut and paste the words in the correct order to make a sentence...

I put __ cookies in the jar.

And it's all finished! Simple, but effective and great for the beginning of the year!

If you're still reading this far down my loooong post - thank you! If you use this activity with your class, I hope they like it :)