Creative hellos
What are some great openers that you have used that were effective for meeting your class for the first time?
It was interesting, my son just started college and he said his instructors did not use anything creative other than a basic back ground.
A very interesting way to say hello! My class size is small, so this fits well.
Tiffany,
This sounds like a great ice breaker and a great way for everyone to get to know each other. Thanks for sharing it with us. I know it will be valuable to other instructors looking for ice breakers to use in their classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
After I give a brief intro about my background and history I have my students state their first and last names, why they are in school, basic family background one by one. Once we are done I have them get out of their chairs and get in a circle. One by one they state their full name as before and do some type of movement. Each student does the ones before and then adds theirs. Through this association they have learn the names of the people they will be spending the next 9 months with and have a little fun as well. Some of them are quite funny and creative.
Mary,
This is a great ice breaker. Thanks for sharing it with us. I know it will be of help to other instructors looking for ways to open up a new course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have used "two truths and a lie" for some of my classes. Have each student tell three things about themselves: two things that are true and one that is false. The rest of the students should try to identify which statements are true, and which is false.
Students usually seem to have a lot of fun with this one, and you learn some interesting things about them!
Deanna,
There are many ice breakers out there that instructors can use. I use an introduction where they tell me where they are from, why they chose this field, and what their career goals are. Then I ask them to tell one that that is interesting about themselves or something interesting they have done. This sharing is always good for some laughs and great discussions. This gets the class off to a relaxed and comfortable start.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
