[Vickiii_NZ]

Hey people - some great ideas. I would like to add my own which has been super successful with 12 year olds and up.

Truth or Lies (I found this on the internet and used it as an introduction game).

Split the class into 3 teams.

You start by giving the class a personal example:

Say your name.
2 statements that are true, 1 that is a lie.

The children have to figure out which statement is a lie.

Which ever team guesses correctly gets 1 point and starts the game.

Each team takes a turn with one person giving 2 true statements and 1 false. The team next to them has the first chance of guessing the lie.

If they guess correctly they get 1 point.
If they are wrong the next team gets to guess. If they are wrong the team that made up the statements gets 2 points.
Keep going round to ensure everyone gets a chance to make up 2 true and 1 untrue statement.

The kids really enjoy it and you will find that the statements get more complex as the game progresses.

[Micro67]

I use a variation of that game that I think is as much fun for me as the students sometimes. I have several objects that I don't think the students will be familiar with (a hockey puck, the face mask from a football helmet, a plum line, etc.) and I break the students into small groups of 6/2. Each student gets a card that has 3 things written on it. Lie, lie and the truth. For the ones that they need to lie on they get 1 point for their team if they can convince the other team that it is not what it really is.

I don't really suggest this for a first day activity (per the thread) but it's good for practicing when to use (for and to) and a few other lessons.