Games
Good Manners Game 1: Bug Swap (Ages 6-12) https://sites.google.com/site/valueslessons
Image source: https://www.ladybuggiftstore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=F604805
Equipment: 4 ladybird (ladybug) stickers, or butterfly or insect stickers, stuck onto sticker paper or a small piece of baking paper. (If not available, print and cut them out or the students can draw ladybirds on small cards for trading.) 4 treats for the 4 winners.
Preparation
Give each student 4 ladybird stickers. Make space for the students to mingle. Have a list of the students names on a clipboard.
Instructions
Tell the students: This is a mystery competition so I'm not telling them how to win.
They are to move around the room asking other students, in a pleasant tone of voice and with eye contact and a smile, “May I have a bug please?”
The student approached is to respond politely, “Sure.” (or similar)
The asker says, “Thank you,” and the giver says, “You're welcome.”
If they don't want to give one, they may say “Don't bug me.”
Demonstrate
Call a student to the front of the class and demonstrate by asking for one of their stickers.
Ask a couple of times, missing out the 'please' or not making eye contact.
Each time asking the students “Could I have said that more politely?”
Begin the game.
Judging
Have a list of the students names and observe them closely. Cross off any players who say “Don't bug me.”
Put a tick (check) beside the names of the ones you notice using the nicest manners.
If it's a larger group, have another scorer to watch the boys while you watch the girl students.
Finishing Off
After about 5 minutes, or when they begin to get restless, stop the game and announce that you are deciding the winners.
Tell them, “This competition was to judge who has the nicest manners.”
Bring the four finalists with the most ticks up the front. Ask them to demonstrate their manners to the class.
Ask the class, “Is telling someone, 'Don't bug me,' when they ask you for something, good manners or bad manners?” (Bad)
“Did any of these four (finalists) say “Don't bug me” to you?” (If so, have them sit down.)
Rewards: Give the ones left a small treat, asking “Would you like a treat?”
They should respond, “Yes, please.”
Reply, “Here, have a ….....”
This should be followed by “Thank you,” and “You're welcome.”
Good Manners Game 2: Simon Says Please (Ages 6-12)
3 or more players. No equipment needed. 1 player takes the role of 'Simon', and stands facing the other players (also standing). Simon gives instructions (such as "turn around" or "pat your head") to the other players, acting them out himself. These should only be obeyed if prefaced with the phrase "Simon says, please...", for example, "Simon says, please pat your head". Players are eliminated from the game by either following instructions that are not immediately preceded by the word 'please', or by failing to follow an instruction which does include the phrase "Simon says, please". If the leader says “Simon says sit down”, any players that sit down or even make a move towards sitting down are out of the game and must move off to the side and sit down to watch. Both Simon and the teacher can send off players who are 'out.'
The object of the game is for Simon to get all the other players 'out' as quickly as possible. The winner of the game is the last player left standing. Occasionally however, 2 or more of the last players may be eliminated together, thus resulting in Simon winning the game. The winner becomes the next 'Simon'.
If you are not familiar with how to play 'Simon Says', watch this video clip: clip:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c-O_r6_FHI
Good Manners Game 3: Mr Manners says (Ages 6-10)
Mr. Good Manners and his twin brother, Mr. Bad Manners, say polite or impolite statements. Students repeat what the teacher says if it is Mr. Good Manners speaking, but put their finger to their lips, and say Shhh! if Mr. Bad Manners is speaking.
For example, the statement, 'Mr. Manners says “I'll shake hands when I meet you."' would result in the students chanting back, “Mr. Manners says I'll shake hands when I meet you." The statement, 'Mr. Manners says, “I hate that spinach you cooked for dinner"' would have the students chanting, "Mr. Manners says Shhh!" and putting their fingers to their lips.
Students who mistakenly chant an impolite action 'sit out' (to the side or back). The ones still participating at the end may be given a small treat.
1. Mr. Manners says, “I'll shake hands when I meet you." 2. Mr. Manners says, “I hate that spinach you cooked for dinner." 3. Mr. Manners says, “Pardon me.” 4. Mr. Manners says, “I don't push in, I wait my turn.” 5. Mr. Manners says, “Take my seat, I'll stand up.” 6. Mr. Manners says, “I'll cover my mouth when I sneeze or yawn.” 7. Mr. Manners says, “I'll chew my food with my mouth open.” 8. Mr. Manners says, “What an ugly shirt you're wearing.” 9. Mr. Manners says, “I never point at people.” 10. Mr. Manners says, “I stick my tongue out at adults.” 11. Mr. Manners says, “I don't talk about people behind their backs.”
12. Mr. Manners says, “I stare at people who look funny.”
13. Mr. Manners says, “How are you?”
14. Mr. Manners says, “I'm fine thank you.”
15. Mr. Manners says, “Shut up, you ugly ape.”
16. Mr. Manners says, “I speak quietly indoors.”
17. Mr. Manners says, “I'll help you carry all your things.”
18. Mr. Manners says, “I like spitting.”
19. Mr. Manners says, “I always wipe my nose on my sleeve.”
20. Mr. Manners says, “Would you like a lolly (candy) too?”
21. Mr. Manners says, “Why are you fat? Are you having a baby?” 22. Mr. Manners says, “I put my hand up when I know the answer.” 23. Mr. Manners says, “You farted!” 24. Mr. Manners says, “I want the biggest piece of cake.” 25. Mr. Manners says, “I like the picture you drew.” 26. Mr. Manners says, “I wish I could do that as well as you do.” 27. Mr. Manners says, “I'll pull your hair.” 28. Mr. Manners says, “Excuse me.” 29. Mr. Manners says, “I knock on a door if it's closed.” 30. Mr. Manners says, “I never run through doorways.” 31. Mr. Manners says, “I'll drop my rubbish on the floor.”
32. Mr. Manners says, “I'm talking with my mouth full.”
33. Mr. Manners says, “I'll wait for adults to finish talking before I interrupt.”
34. Mr. Manners says, “I'll look you in the eye when you speak to me.”
35. Mr. Manners says, “I'll roll my eyes when you speak to me.”
36. Mr. Manners says, “You're a loser!”
37. Mr. Manners says, “Good try.”
38. Mr. Manners says, “I'll hold the door open for you.”
39. Mr. Manners says, “Get out of the way, I'm coming through!”
40. Mr. Manners says, “Thank you,” when offered a treat.
Offer the winners a treat. When they say 'Thank you,' smile and say 'Good manners.'
Good Manners Game 4: Miss Bee Polite (Ages 4-8)
This game will give your younger students practice using the words “please” and “thank you”.
Preparation
Cut a honeycomb shape from yellow cardboard, then add details with a marker. To play, seat the class on the floor. Place a chair or stool facing away from the group.
Instructions
Ask a volunteer to sit on the chair and pretend to be Miss Bee Polite. Place the honeycomb under the chair. Ask Miss Bee to close her eyes, then quietly choose another child to tiptoe to the chair and take the honeycomb. The child then returns to the group and sits on the honeycomb. Ask Miss Bee to open her eyes and face the group. Recite this chant:
(Class) “Miss Polite, you're very sweet. Please, may we have a honey treat?”
(Miss Bee Polite) “Yes dear children, of course you may.”
(Class) “Thank you, thank you we all say.”
Give Miss Bee three chances to guess who took the honeycomb before revealing the child. If she guesses correctly she may have another turn. If not, the child who took the honeycomb becomes the new Miss Bee Polite. Continue until each student has had a turn.
Image source: https://www.clipartkey.com/view/ToJoT_transparent-free-for-cartoon-bee-with-honey-black/