Name Train Choo-Choo

One student is the engine and travels around until stopping in front of a classmate; the engine asks their name, they both chant it with a little dance, and the new student becomes the engine while the old train hooks on behind. The train grows until it includes the whole class repeating every name.

How to play

1. Students spread out, sitting or standing inside an area marked with cones. Choose the first engineer (1 min).
2. While the music plays, the engine travels around making "choo-choo" arm motions and stops in front of a classmate.
3. The engine says, "Hi, I'm Marta, what's your name?" The classmate answers and both chant the name three times with a little dance: "Da-ny, Da-ny, Da-ny!"
4. The new student becomes the engine, and the old train hooks on behind them with hands on shoulders.
5. The whole train chants each new name so everyone keeps repeating them (8 min).
6. When everyone is on the train, the last engine tries to name every car from the front, with help if needed (2 min).

Rules

• The train always walks or jogs slowly.
• Hands stay on shoulders with no pulling or pushing.
• Chant names happily; no teasing or changing names.
• If the train breaks, stop and hook back up before moving on.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students who use wheelchairs can be the engine or a car; the train moves at their pace and the student behind rests a hand on the chair.
• For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, say the name facing them and add a gesture.
• Shy students may say their name quietly while the train chants it loudly.

Learning goals

• Learn classmates' names in a fun setting.
• Travel as a group while matching the pace of others.
• Introduce yourself to someone in a simple way.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music: 1
• cones: 4

Teacher tip

With big classes the train gets very long: after 15 cars, split into two trains; pick a song with a steady beat that is not too fast.

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