First Time Meeting
I think meeting the class for the first time s a little scary. We all want our classes to be awesome, like us and be smooth. Each time we start over we don’t know what to expect. I always try to break the ice, with a get to know me, get to know you game. I typically go through all the important facts, syllabus and what I expect PowerPoint, then bring them each a small bag of M & M’s and have them tell a story about themselves if they have a blue one, a vacation they’ve been on with a green, an orange tell us about a hobby, a yellow tell us about your family, etc. I think a class that knows a little about one another has a better chance of having that cooperative learning style, and a more caring attitude about learning. When they realize I actually do care about their learning they are more apt to be engaged.
Hi Paul,
Way to go in getting a class off to a good start. The more knowledge you have about students the better you can target your instructional delivery and planning.
Gary
First time meetings are like first impressions. Establish who you are briefly. Have students introduce themselves with interaction from instructor to show their similarities and individualities with class members.
Hi Ronata,
This helps to set the tone for the class and get the students settled into it. Their comfort level goes up when they are getting to know each other and having a chance to introduce themselves.
Gary
I also like the getting to know you excercise. I feel it helps break the ice if the students and the instructor as well share something about themselves. It also can help if the students will have to do speeches later on in the course by reminding them that on the very first day of class they have already done a short speech about themselves. This helped my students get comfprtable with public speaking.
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for sharing this ice breaker with us. I know the students have a lot of fun with it while getting to know more about each other.
Gary
Scared, huh? Practice baby, practice! Perfect icebreaker:
Place sheets face down on the desks, seats, whatever with random names of some of your favorite things - movies, musicians, etc. Have them guess what they mean, then explain things about themselves, making sure to highlight their favorite movie, musician, etc., depending on what sheet they draw.
Hi Lisa,
I agree about the concerns we have when starting a new group of students. We never know what we are going to have in terms of students until the first day and we start spending time together.
Thanks for sharing the ice breaker you use with us. It is easy to use, doesn't require any prior preparation on the part of the students so they can relax and just enjoy getting to know each other better.
Gary
