After a prompt from the teacher, students either line up in a particular order, or group together with their classmates (blobs) based on something they have in common. This activity allows students to quickly see what they have in common with their peers. There are no materials needed for this activity, just a few prompts. Students can even take turns calling out prompts to the class.
Examples: Line up in alphabetical order by first name Form a blob with people who have the same shoe size as you Line up in order from shortest to tallest Form a blob with people who have the same eye colour as you
Ready Spaghetti
Organize students into pairs and give each person a paper plate. As a team they will try to go from sitting on the ground to standing with a piece of uncooked spaghetti in between their plates, without breaking the spaghetti. If sitting to standing is too difficult, pairs can walk from point A to point B with their plates and spaghetti. This activity fosters teamwork and communication.
Concentric Circles
Pair students up and have them face each other forming 2 circles (the inside circle faces out, and the outside circle faces in). Pairs discuss their answers to getting to know you questions that are asked by the teacher. When each pair has answered the question, have the outside circle rotate clockwise to meet their next partner. This activity gets students talking to all of their classmates, which will help students feel more comfortable in the class.
This or That
This game has students choose positions on light topics by physically moving to the side of the room that represents their opinions and discussing why they chose that side. This activity builds confidence and public speaking skills. It can also be used to make classroom decisions.
Examples: Which is better, gym indoors or gym outdoors? Which is better, cake or ice cream? Would you rather travel everyday, or never leave home?
Sharing Weekly Reflections
Each week, have students write about two positive events that occurred in their lives and one not-so-positive event (along with what they could have done to make it better or what they learned from it). Then have students share what they wrote in small groups. Research shows that this kind of sharing results in "capitalization" -- the building of social capital.
Introducing Me
This activity is sometimes called a "Me Bag" or an "All About Me Bag." Students choose a few objects which reveal things about themselves or are special in some way, and bring them in to share with the class. The teacher models this first by bringing in items special in his/her life (for example, a photograph, a piece of sports equipment, a paintbrush, etc.), and describing what the object is and what it represents, or why it is important. Then the teacher can take a few minutes to answer any questions from students. Students can share their items in various ways: a few students can share each day, or students can share in small groups or with a partner, taking turns to ask each other questions.
"I Am" Projects
There are many variations of the "I Am" activity. Students can create a poster, a poem, a slideshow, a "Top Ten" list, etc. to describe themselves. It can be helpful to give students sentence starters to inspire their thinking and writing. Students could share their projects to the entire class or in small groups.
Friend Facts: Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is an easy way to get students out of their seats, talking, and interacting within minutes. The teacher can easily create a sheet (there are many variations on the web) listing several categories with a line next to each one. Then students circulate and must find someone who has experienced each category. (For example, "Has been to DisneyLand," "Has a brother and a sister" or "Likes broccoli. ") The student must ask for their classmate's name and write it on the line next to the category.
Two Truths and a Lie
This activity is commonly used as an "icebreaker" and works great with students who don't know a lot about each other. The teacher first models the activity by writing down three statements about himself/herself on an index card and explaining that two of the statements are true, but one is a lie. The students must guess which statement is the lie. The teacher can facilitate a follow-up discussion by asking students to share more about their "truths" either by speaking or in writing.
Four Squares
The Four Squares activity helps students get to know each other better, while getting both writing and speaking practice. The teacher models how to fold a piece of paper into four boxes and numbers them 1, 2, 3 and 4. Students then write a different category/topic next to the number at the top of each box. The categories could include: family, what I like about school, what I don't like about school, places I've lived, my favorite movie/why, etc. Students are given time to write about each category and then asked to stand up. The teacher then instructs students to share their "Box Ones" with a partner, then "Box Twos" with a different partner, and so on.
Morning Check-In
At the very beginning of the day have students sit in a circle (can stay at desks if space is an issue). Ask students how they are feeling today. Students raise their fingers 1-5. 1 is great, 2 is okay, 3 is fine, 4 is not good, and 5 is angry. Ask a few random students why they raised a certain finger. Note any students who raised a high number that you don’t call on so you are able to talk to them one-on-one. Pick a random student to start and have them high five the student to their right and say “Good Morning” with the student’s name. The next student then goes to their right, and this continues until all students have gone.
Random Questions
Students take turns rolling a dice and answering the question that the dice roll corresponds to. Questions can be adjusted for the time of the year (in September have questions about what they did over summer, in February have questions about winter favorites, etc). Can take time and have students do questions as a whole class or attach the dice roll to something within the class structure. If a student wants to go to the bathroom, they have to first roll the dice. Grab random students as they enter class and have them roll dice. If a student turns in homework late, etc. Teacher can also participate in questions with students, so students get to know the teacher. Example questions: 1) What is one thing you are really good at outside of school? 2) What is your best subject in school? 3) What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of? 4) What do you want to be remembered for? 5) What are you best at in school or outside of school? 6) How do you feel when you are successful at something?
Time Capsule
Each student creates their own time capsule that will be included in a classroom-wide time capsule. Each student answers a few questions on a sheet of paper (some predictions for the year, goals, etc) and a pre-test on the subject matter to be learned. These go in a cereal box, Pringles container, coffee can or something and are taped shut until the end of the year. They are opened at the end of the year and students get to read their answers and see their pre-tests to see all that they have learned.
The Compliments Project (AKA Share the Love)
Students in the class take turns being in a ‘hot seat’ at the front of the class with their back to the whiteboard while their classmates each write one compliment to the student in the ‘hot seat’. The class would be told ahead of time that the compliments are positive and school appropriate and should focus on character traits rather than qualities related to appearance. For more information and a demo video click here.