Adapting to new classmates, a new setting, and a new teacher brings nerves and anxiety for students. In diverse classrooms, marginalized students may be incredibly hesitant to take risks for fear of being cast as a stereotype or made a target for bullying. The sooner students feel comfortable; the sooner meaningful learning can take place. Icebreakers and team-building activities will help you get to know your students and help your students get to know each other.
Start your school year right with these top three ice breaker activities:
Meet Someone Who: Provide students with a list or bingo card with different categories. Students should identify a classmate who fits each category. In the process, students will get to learn more about their classmates’ interests and experiences.
My Learning Strengths: Provide each student with a bingo card, in which each square contains a description of different learning strengths. Have students mix and mingle with each other. As they do so, students should write down classmates’ names who match the descriptions in each box.
Three Things in Common: Put students into small groups. Each must identify same-colored that they have in common with each other – the stranger, the better. Later, have each group share their three things with the class.
For more information and additional activities, download our Icebreaker and Team-Building Engagement Starter.
