[KateHoca]

I like to start off with a quick game or another warm-up activity too. I've found that on busier days a joke, pun, or riddle can be enough to get the class ready to work. If the joke is pertinent to the lesson the students have even more fun.

For example, when I teach 'can' and 'may' I always use this joke:

Student: "Teacher, can I use the bathroom?"
Teacher: "I don't know. Can you?"

'Alphabet Popcorn' is another favorite for beginners or pre-intermediate learners. We throw a stuffed animal or soft ball around and the person who catches it must say a word that begins with a certain letter. Then they throw it to another student who says a word that begins with the next letter ( example: Student 1 says a word that begins with A, Student B says a word that begins with B, so on and so forth). The element of surprise keeps the students on their toes. You wouldn't believe how nervous they get when we arrive at Q or X!