Ice Breaker Activites
I enjoyed the examples of ice breaker activities. As a new teacher, it will be very important to et my class comfortable with one another and myself before teaching in my classroom in order to have a successful environment.
Hi Jennifer,
Great way to start and end the week!!! Love this icebreaker!
Patricia Scales
I agree with starting class with icebreakers as well. On Monday's I have students share something exciting they did over the weekend, and on Fridays they share any plans they might have for the weekend. I've noticed it really opens up classroom communication and student even take note to other with the same hobbies.
I totally agree with starting class with icebreakers because it give the Instructor and the student body a feel for each individual that they will be attending class with.
Hi N. Dianne,
Great exercise to utilize to bond students. I am sure students are more comfortable with each other after doing this exercise, and also I bet friendship begin to develop from this exercise as well.
Patricia Scales
Our school is a bit different, in that the students stay together in all classes, throughout their time in school.
To that end, I use a few different activities to get them up, moving and talking to each other.
The activity they seem to like best is "Have you ever..." activity. I give each student a piece of paper with a number of activities or experiences. They then come up with one on their own. Then, they go around the class and talk to as many people as possible, to find someone who has experienced these activities. Once found, they must have a brief discussion with the person and record their answer. Later, each student tells us something interesting they learned about 3 other people in the class.
They are much more comfortable by the end of this activity.
Hi Victor,
We will take it if it works. Students are more prone to talk about these type topics. Great idea to wake them up and get them started.
Patricia Scales
I have found that starting my every one of my class sessions with casual, usually off topic discussions of interest to the students is quite effective.
It can range from sports, current events to trafic or weather. The key is to get them engaged and talking.
By starting the dialogue this way, the transition to course material and topics is easy and the students engaged.
I find the 5 or so minutes well invested.
Hi Robert,
You may want to try putting students into small groups to help the shy students open up more also give them a participation grade for participating in the ice breaker.
Patricia Scales
Do you have any examples of ways to get students who are very shy or reserved to participate in ice breaker activities?
Hi Rachel,
Icebreakers can certainly serve as a way for students to get to know each other and feel comfortable around each other. It is a great way to make friends, find people with things in common, and bond. When students are comfortable around each other, they open up more.
Patricia Scales
