Ice Breakers on the first day of class
What are some examples of ice breakers you are using on the first day of class to help students to get to know each other?
I usually do the whole introduction of myself and then move on to the students.
Hi Anna, Thanks for your post to the forum. That "Getting to know each other" exercise is excellent! If we can create a sense of community in our classes, our students will be able to relate to and help each other! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Susan Polick
An icebreaker I often use on the first day of class is " Tell me "3" three things about yourself". This opens up the class gradually into: (1) knowing something about the person sitting next to you. (2) After about the third person, the class is more at ease (3) It makes the student bond more as a class because they don't feel so much a stranger now (4) It opens the lines of communication for the instructor.
Hi Michhael, Thanks for your post to the forum. Sometimes students are reluctant to share much personal information, so I think that your ice-breaker question is probably quite effective since it relates to why the entire class is there. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
One of the ice breakers that I use and consider to be very effective is to have each student tell us their name. In addition to telling us their name I also ask them to share with the class what they are interested in doing after they finish the program that they are presently enrolled in.
Hi Eric- Thanks for your post to the forum. Excellent advice for students as they start their careers! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
One such "Ice Breaker" I use on the first day of class which has become rather effective is a networking exercise. I developed a list of about ten questions ranging from "Who has a pet?" to "Who enjoys reality television?" and I offer a prize at the end of the five-minute session to determine who gets the most names of individuals in any one question.
My philosophy is that "Closed Mouths don't get fed". In other words, if no one knows who you are and what you're capable of adding to their lives, it's virtually impossible for you to be noticed in business, in employment and even in relationship building.
I like to play a few fun Game. I give the students a list of things that pushes them into a group discussion, in a very non-aggressive fun way. EX, I ask who takes the longest time to get to school, who has been to alaska, who has the biggest family,who has a red car, who plays in a band.who is a twin.....Etc
I give them about 20 items and they have to walk around the class trying to see how many classmates they can speak with and get as many questions filled in before time is up. Then we have a group talk about the answers we have gotten.
We then do a introduce my new friend game. I pair the students up and tell them to find out about the "new friend " I have given them. Then you will tell the rest of the class about your new friend you have just met. I tell the class share what you would like the rest of the class to know about you. Its a twist on "Hi my name is". Both of these are fun and I have been doing them for the last 10 years with great success.
This is a great idea. I love implementing comic relief in the classroom to lighten the mood. I feel it is important to include yourself in the "getting to know you" part of the day. I tell the class about my work and schooling background at the beginning of every new class.
For icebreakers, I generally give out a sheet with about 20 open ended questions. I then read the questions out-loud, answer the question myself, and then have the students answer. Some of the responses are hysterical, the class starts laughing and it loosens them up. They feel more part of a group at that point, and I feel that they are primed to learn when we start the lecture.
Hi Morgan - I like the "Ice Breaker Bingo" Idea - very interactive! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have the students play "Ice Breaker Bingo". I use a bingo card with 24 (plus free space) statements. "My favorite color is green". "I have lived in more than 3 states". They are to walk around the room and ask each other if they fall into that category. First person to get a bingo wins a small prize (nice pen, etc). Students seem to love this activity.
Hi Jeanette - Thanks for your post to the forum!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I think it is great that you pair the students together and each student must state a fact that they know about the other student. It's a great way for introduction and it teaches the student how to be a team player
Ice breakers are great for the first day of class. It set the stage for interactions with the instructor as well as other students.
I ask the students to tell the class something about themselves.
I like to have each students pair up with another student and introduce that student. This helps them get to meet at least one other person and often the students will tell funny stories about the person they are introducing and that helps to break the ice on the first day of class.
Hi Phyliss- Thanks for your post to the forum. I like to break the class into small groups and ask the students to come up with three facts about themselves. Two will be true and one will be a lie. Their team members must guess which is which. Another is to pair students up and have them interview each other and then introduce their partner to the class trying to remember as much as possible. ( Notes are OK!) Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
