Name Game - Slap Slap Clap Clap

Slap slap clap clap is a perfect name game and icebreaker activity, helping to learn and remember names whilst getting the students to speak loudly and have fun in the process. It can also be used in a lesson about rhythm. I have used this successfully with 11-15 year olds but I think any age would happily complete this lesson (except maybe extremely young children who just haven't got the coordination skills required).

How To Play The Clapping Name Game

https://youtu.be/gLqMKUtVb3Q?list=PLP_xsoFOetKhtZuNI_Lda5ADrThcr1ujh Click here to see game in action.
1. Start by seating your students in a circle, try not to make the circle too big as the students need to hear each other to successfully participate, so get them to sit close together.


2. Ask if they know the meanings of the two words slap and clap, explain and show them the difference by clapping your hands and slapping your thighs. Now tell them that we are going to play a rhythm or a beat, like they hear when listening music. Demonstrate the beat  slap, slap (slap your thighs twice) and clap, clap (clap your hands twice). For those of you with music training, it is just a straight 4/4 beat, and you need to make sure the students stay in time. Count them in nice and slow to start.... 1234 slap(1) slap(2)clap(3)clap(4)


3. This is where the name game aspect kicks in. Once the very easy rhythm is sorted, explain that the first two times they clap their hands they must say their own English name, demonstrate and then get them to join in... Then tell them on the second time they clap, clap their hands they must say a classmates name... Again demonstrate and get them to follow.


4. Now get the class to be quite and explain that we will all slap, slap, clap, clap,  but say nothing and listen for your name. As the teacher you start... slap, slap, clap, clap(your name) slap, slap, clap, clap (students name). When that student hears their name they must now slap, slap, clap, clap(their name) slap, slap, clap, clap( another students name) and so on and so on.

NOTE : make sure the students keep the continual rhythm, any hesitation is OUT.

-Other ways to get out
If your name is called and you don't continue the name chant.
If you forget to say your name and straight away say another students name instead.
If you say a students name who is already out
If you go out of rhythm( I'm very tough on this particular one).

It all sounds a little confusing, but it's very easy, takes no prep, gets students familiar with others names, gets them vocal and makes them laugh. This is an excellent name game that is made even more fun by incorporating music and rhythm. If you're class is great at this, you could try and find and instrumental piece of music that they can play the name game along with, making them stay in time.
Watch the video and see for yourself how the basic name game chant is played.