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11th June 2023.
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Overview of SOCIAL GAMES
There are 50 SOCIAL GAMES in each of the What's the Buzz? books;
These bring students together to have fun and focus on social principles introduced in each session. The games are not available here; however, the publisher has kindly given permission to display the SOCIAL GAMES in the first three lessons from each book (see below).
The SOCIAL GAMES are also popular choices for mainstream class teachers to positively influence the emotional climate in their classroom. These games offer precious moments to unify, refresh and lift the spirits of a group.
They can be drawn on as ice breakers and team building exercises to help build class cohesiveness at the beginning of the year, or are a sparkling remedy when the attention or the mood of the group starts to wane.
So when the going gets tough, or when there seems to be one too many students in the classroom, think about using one of the 100 socially connecting games from both programmes. They're easy to use as well!
SOCIAL GAMES guide
From 'What's the Buzz?' (for Primary Students)
Lesson 1: meeting people and exiting
Game, Back to Back
This game can be played inside or outside. Players walk freely about a large space, but one of the players is nominated as "it". When "it" calls, "Back to back!" all players quickly find a partner and stand back to back. Then, "it" says "go" and players are free to move again. When "it" calls "Face to Face!" all players quickly find a partner, face each other, say "hello" and shake hands. Tell the players to be careful because "it" will try to get with a partner during the change. The player left out will become "it". The idea is NOT to become "it".
Game, Name Train
Arrange the players so they are standing in a large circle. You begin by shuffling like a train across the circle making steam train sounds; have fun and exaggerate! Eventually, come to a stop facing one of the players in the circle. Look at them and say, "Hi, my name is, (your name) the Tank Engine". The person facing you responds with, "Hi, (they use your name), my name is (let's say their name is Mika). You raise one arm high and then the other saying, "Mika ... Mika ... Mika ... Mika ... Mika ... Mika ..." You place Mika in front of you holding his waist. Mika pulls away from the station with you in tow. Both shuffle across the circle making steam train sounds. The train journey continues until everyone joins the train and has led the group.
Game, Greetings and goodbyes
Arrange the group into a circle. Explain that everyone will have the chance to roll the ball to someone as well as receive it. As participants roll the ball they give a friendly greeting to person who receives it (being sure to use their name). As the ball is received the participant gives a friendly thank you (always using the name of the person who rolled the ball). The game continues until everyone has had at turn. Start by demonstrating the idea.
Game, Greetings!
For this is an old favourite it is best to set a 5 minute time limit. Players will require space to move about and must carry a pencil and small note book (or sheet of paper) to record ideas. On "go" students walk about and use friendly greetings as they pass one another; a thumbs up, a double thumbs up, a wink, a "hello", a high five, a smile, a "hi", a bow, blowing a kiss, a little wave, a "how are you today?", a long wave and so on. The person being greeted must respond in a friendly way.
As the game progresses encourage participants to drop to the floor and add a new way to greet to their list. They may use their own ideas as well as collecting ideas they observe from others. The aim is to develop the longest possible list of friendly greetings within the time limit. Once the time limit is reached move students back into the social circle. Move from student to student asking them to give one friendly greeting idea and showing how it is done. Continue to do this until all ideas are exhausted. Ask students to add up the ideas on their list. Find out who has the most!
Lesson 2: getting attention
Game, Fighting for attention
Select two players. Ask them to stand up, move to the front of the group and position themselves either side of you.
These players will be asked to talk about a topic for 30 seconds in front of the group, but, they must talk 'at' you, 'non-stop,' using many of the characteristics from the 'How to get attention using demanding behaviours' checklist. Your response while they do this is one of disapproval; you stand stony faced with arms folded, looking at your watch.
Once they have finished ask the audience to score their performances by holding up fingers on one hand. Five fingers up would indicate a superb performance. Add up the scores to determine a winner. Continue until everyone has a turn.
Game, Wild animals
Whisper the name of an animal to each participant. For a group of four give two players the same animal name, and in a group of eight give two pairs the same name – everyone else has a different animal name. Once the name is given players are not permitted to speak or tell what animal they are. Instead, on "go" each person makes the sound and movement of the animal they have been given while they move about. As soon as they find the same animal as themselves they sit on the floor together. Once all players are convinced they either have a partner or there isn't one, stop the game and ask each player to tell which animal they are. Children enjoy playing this game over and over!
Game, Two truths, one lie
This is an ideal introductory game as it offers a way for students to give a little information away about themselves, and to learn more about others. Explain that each of them will be given a turn to state two things that are true about themselves and one thing that is a lie. Each of the three statements should be confidently delivered. The rest of the group will try to guess which statement is the lie. Guessing the lie is the aim of the game!The best idea is for an adult to begin so they can model how it is done.
Game, Sleeping pirate
All players, except the sleeping pirate, sit in a circle on the floor. The sleeping pirate is blind folded and sits cross legged in the middle of the circle guarding a large bunch of keys on the floor nearby. Silently choose a child to creep up and ever so quietly take the rattling keys away from the pirate. Once they have the keys they attempt to return to their place in the circle and place the keys on the floor behind their back without the pirate hearing anything at all. The sleeping pirate listens intently, but says nothing.
Finally, the sleeping pirate is asked to remove their blindfold and have two or three attempts to guess the raider (number of guesses depends on the size of the group).
Lesson 3: following instructions
Game, Scavenger hunt
Scavenger Hunt is an outside game. It is wise to set boundaries. Help group members to find a partner. Each pair is given a paper bag and on it is a list of four, five or six items they must find together. They have just five minutes to get the best example of each. Here are a few ideas:
A small twig
A twig with two little branches coming off it
A piece of bark
A smooth round pebble
A stone with two or more colours in it
A long leaf
A short, wide leaf
A leaf with more than two points on it
A flower
A piece of paper
Something shiny
Something soft
Something rare
Something amazing
Something that is a part of something bigger
Something that used to be alive
Something that is alive and very small
Something really smooth
Something that looks alien
It is fun to return to the social circle, look at what each pair decided to collect and hear them justify their decision.
Game, Port and starboard
This listening game is best played in a large room. Responding to the commands below, students quickly perform the appropriate actions. Give the group a while to warm up, practice and remember the commands, then start removing the slowest players until only one or two are left.
'Port' - run to the left hand side of the area
'Starboard' - run to right hand side of the area
'Captain's coming aboard' - stand to attention, perfectly still and maintain a salute
'Submarines' - lie on the floor as stiff as a board
'Hoist the mainsail' – run vigorously on the spot with arms looking as though they are hoisting the rigging
'Mess deck' - sit cross legged on the floor gobbling lunch
'Davey Jones' - lie on tummy or back with feet kicking wildly in the air
'Up periscope' - stand up straight and hold both hands to eyes as if looking through a periscope
Game, Mr. and Mrs. Wright
Have everyone stand well away from each other. Tell them that you are going to read a story about Mr. and Mrs. Wright and that they will need to listen very carefully. When they hear you say the word "right" they will have to jump to the right. When they hear you say "left" the will have to jump to the left. This game is a lot of fun, but each person's success hinges on them concentrating, listening and remembering. It's all about following directions to the letter!
The story …
This is a story about Mr. and Mrs WRIGHT. One evening they were baking cookies. Mrs. WRIGHT called from the kitchen, "Oh, no, there is no flour LEFT! You will need to go out to the store RIGHT away."
"I can't believe you forgot to check the pantry," grumbled MR. WRIGHT. "You never get anything RIGHT!"
"Don't be difficult, dear," replied Mrs. WRIGHT. "You could have LEFT by now and been on your way. It will only take twenty minutes if you come RIGHT back.
Go to the Post Office up on the main road, and turn LEFT at the stop sign. Then go past the fruit shop we usually go to, and turn RIGHT, and there it will be on your LEFT," declared Mrs. WRIGHT as her husband LEFT the house.
Mr. WRIGHT found the store and asked the shop assistant where he could find the flour. The shop assistant pointed and said, "Go to Aisle four and turn LEFT. The flour and sugar will be on your LEFT."
Mr. WRIGHT made his purchase and walked RIGHT out the door. He turned LEFT, but he couldn't remember where he had LEFT his car. Suddenly he remembered that he had driven Mrs. WRIGHT'S car and that his car was in the driveway at home RIGHT where he had LEFT it. He finally found the RIGHT car and put his things RIGHT inside. Eventually, a weary Mr. WRIGHT found his way home.
Mrs. WRIGHT had been waiting impatiently. "I thought you would be RIGHT back," she said. "I LEFT all the cookie ingredients on the kitchen counter, and the cats got into the milk. You'll just have to go RIGHT out again."
Mr. WRIGHT sighed. He had no energy LEFT. "I am going RIGHT to bed," he said. "Anyway, I need to go on a diet, so I might as well start RIGHT now. Isn't that RIGHT, dear?"
Game, Hot and Cold
This legendary game can be played inside or outside. If outside, commence by explaining the boundaries for students to stay within. Choose a location you wish students to arrive at. The idea is that you do not tell them the destination you have selected. They will need to listen to your instructions to find the point you have in mind. The only clues you will deliver are words such as; "freezing" "cold" "warm" "warmer" "colder" "hotter" "really hot" "boiling" "cooler". Your clues gradually drive the group to find the hottest spot. When they arrive let them know they have successfully listened and followed instructions. It is also great fun to divide the group in half. Have half watching while the others try to find the hottest spot as it's just as much fun to watch!
Lesson 4: being friendly
Game, 'Yes' and 'No'
Game, Mixed up body parts
Game, Catching the Dragon's tail
Lesson 5: winning and losing
Game, Tower of cards
Game, Newspaper Race
Game, Musical Chairs
Game, Animal Relay
Game, Ball of String Relay
Game, Can you guess?
Lesson 6: identifying feelings
Game, What's on a face?
Game, Guess my feeling?
Game, Cowboys and Indians
Lesson 7: feelings - the warning signs
Game, Moods
Game, Who am I?
Game, The detective and the thief
Lesson 8: thinking positively
Game, Find the leader
Game, Minefield
Game, Chinese whispers
Lesson 9: ideas to create well being
Game, Poker face
Game, Old Maid/Uno/Donkey/Animal Snap
Game, "Good morning Mr. President"
Game, Kim's game
Lesson 10: empathy
Game, Who is it?
Game, Boxes
Game, Silly Sally/ Silly Sam
Lesson 11: handling worry
Game, Walking and talking
Game, Wink murder
Game, Bobsledding
Lesson 12: dealing with disappointment
Game, Guard the pin
Game, Statues
Game, 20 questions, or less
Lesson 13: responding to bullying
Game, Lonely Little Ghost
Game, Draw me if you can?
Game, Blowing bubbles
Lesson 14: the art of conversation
Game, Talk, listen, cooperate and create
Game, Talking about Henny's coloured eggs
Game, Stand in the line
Lesson 15: learning to 'fit in'
Game, Red letter
Game, Guess what I'm drawing?
Game, Dare to dream?
Lesson 16: compliments
Game, Ooh-Ahh
Game, What I like about you
Game, All in