This is inspired by the book by Hugh Murphy: T-Rex Trying (2012). It can be regarded as a variation of the Simon Says game. The kids have to act like a T-Rex with very short arms and then try various activities the teacher tells them.
The game is appropriate for younger children, maybe grades 3-4. It needs little to no preparation, the playing time is thus very flexible. Five minutes could be a good start. T-Rex Trying can be a great warm-up game, because it involves lots of physical activity. If it is played more often it could also be turned into a routine for starting the lesson or in-between breaks.
The game can introduce/ reinforce new vocabulary, especially verbs of activities. Children need to employ their imagination and learn to orientate in space to act out the movements. If they are familiar with the game already, they can propose new activities as well. As an even further step, they can turn the activities into a story and invent a framing narrative.
The teacher can use the book or think of own ideas. He needs to be in the front, and the children can arrange as a group standing opposite in a circle.
At first, the teacher lets the children find into their role: Do they know what a T-Rex looks like? He could also show some pictures from the book. Afterwards, he proposes the things T-Rex is trying to do: "T-Rex is trying to climb a tree, T-Rex is trying to put on a jacket...". Next, the kids might make suggestions and take the teacher's role: "What do you think is T-Rex trying to do next? Can you show us?" The book could help with ideas. For the story extension, the teacher could ask: "Let us think of a story. T-Rex is trying to get out of bed. What happens next?" Every one then takes turns in retelling the previous part and adding a new sentence/activity.
Bibliography
Murphy, H. (2012). T-Rex trying: the unfortunate trials of the tyrant lizard king. London: Michael Joseph.
