You You Me!
| Target: | Basic Pronouns | fun speed rhythm gestures |
| Age: | younger children and up | |
| Duration: | 2 minutes or less | |
| Class Size: | Small group and up | |
| Energy Level: | medium | |
| Type: | Mirroring Activity | |
| Equipment: | None |
Introduction: This is a useful warm up exercise or space filler. We usually do it seated at a table though standing in a circle is perfectly possible.
Procedure: The teacher goes around the group in turn making a series of statements and gestures to each child individually. The aim is to repeat the sequence exactly. Here's a sample based on a group with four children:
| Teacher: | "Me!" | taps chest |
| Child A: | "Me!" | taps chest |
| Teacher: | "Me! Me!" | taps chest twice |
| Child B: | "Me! Me!" | taps chest twice |
| Teacher: | "You!" | points at Child C with an open hand |
| Child C: | "You!" | points at the teacher with an open hand |
| Teacher: | "You! Me!" | points at Child D, taps chest |
| Child D: | "You! Me!" | points at the teacher, taps chest |
| Teacher: | "You! You! Me!" | points at Child A twice, taps chest |
| Child A: | "You! You! Me!" | points at the teacher twice, taps chest |
Statements and gestures should be synchronised. Go slowly at first and vary the speed anc complexity as required. Once you and me are solid introduce she and he (with single sex classes you are limited to one pronoun unless photographs are available. For they, arrange to have a group of objects to point at, or use a photograph. For we use a circular hand motion that encompasses everyone in the group.
Notes:
It's very important to get the children gesturing strongly and speaking clearly. This can be encouraged by using a clear rhythm, varying the tempo and doing different sequences with the same child. Establish the idea that doing a sequence is a doable challenge and you've cracked it.
I use "he and "she" when gesturing rather than "him and "her". I think it is more important that these primary words are established before moving to the other forms.
