Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Dorothea,
I like this icebreaker as well. As you say it is fun and lets the students get to know a bit about each other and set the stage for the upcoming class sessions.
Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Dorothea Barrington-Keith CHEP

This is a great icebreaker and fun activity for both students and instructor. If it’s a large class, the students break-up into small groups and discuss what they may have in common. Each group/student takes turns telling the class about themselves. This is also a source of class participation and a tool for building class relationships with other students and the instructor.

francis howard

i agree with this. you can learn a little about each other and have a little fun and it sets the tone for a non stress atmosphere to begin your instruction.

Dennis Heinke

I really like this idea! Matter-of-fact, I think I'll modify it for my Intro to Psych class: I'll have each student tell the class one thing they've learned about psychology, for each sheet of tp. Then, go around again, and have each student give one example of how ONE of those things they've learned can be applied to their professional/personal life.

Thanks, for the idea!

Lisa Stroizer

I ALSO TOLD MY STUDENTS THREE THINGS ABOUT ME AND LET THEM KNOW IF ITS TRUE OR NOT AND WE TAKE TURNS AND LET EVERYONE PARTICAPATION

Ramon Machado

I too have had used this method of ice breaker. It is very effective in having total class participation. It also allows students to see who the have things in common with. It is amazing how it really does open the communication lines within the classroom.

Peter Brooks

I love both of these ideas!

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Jodi,
This is an ice breaker that generates a lot of laughter and discussion. It will work with any type of class so give it a try and see how it works in getting the class off to a good start.
Gary

Jodi Fischer

I have heard of other people using this technique, and, after hearing it again, I plan on using it! I have also heard about sending around a roll of toilet paper and having everyone take "some". After it gets around to the entire class, tell the students to give one fact about themselves for every section that they tore off.

Bart Putzer

Thanks for your reply. I just thought it would be a good ice breaker. Thank you for confirming it. I'm going to plan it into my first day as well! Have a great school year.

Bart Putzer

Thanks for the feedback. I found this to be kind of a fun activity and I think it's appropriate for the age group. I think I'll give it a try and see how it goes. Thanks again.

Cynthia Henley

i've done that one with my classes too...but i always save it as one of the games for the last class. i was thinking about doing it for the first class this next time and this helped me make my decision!!! i am going to play this game on our first night next quarter! Thanks!

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Bart,
This is a very good ice breaker to use at the start of a new class. It gives the students a chance to interact with each other in an informal way just as you experienced when you did it in the work world. So you can do introductions and then have them do the ice breaker and you should have the class off to a good start. Once this is done you can go through the syllabus and other course details so the students will be comfortable with the class setting and the course requirements.
Gary