Hello Teasha,
I bet you have gotten some interesting papers pertaining to touch. This is nice ice breaker for student involvement as well.
Patricia
HI there,
I love to ask my massage students what made them decide to become therapists and as an ice breaker, I have them tell us where they would go on a vacation for 30 days all expenses paid. I also assign a one page touch paper where the students share their experiences with touch. It really helps them to understand eachother's backgrounds. Teasha Elder
The first day of class is really the most important day of class. This sets the tone of the classroom and sets first impressions of the students and the instructor. It is important to offer an "ice breaker activity". This will help the students to relax and be involved and get to know one another.
Bonnie
Patricia,
Why is that? Somewhere there is a social psychologist just waiting to write this paper.
Thanks,
John
have students share their own objectives for the course and what they want to learn
In an attempt to get to know the students, I ask them where they are in their education and what their finnal goal is. This helps taylor some of the information delivery to their needs. Then I share an experance that I have had in the industery to give them some back ground.
Hi John,
I find the same thing to be true for my students. Students are more apt to speak about someone else instead of themselves...interesting.
Patricia
Yulia,
Good idea. I give students direction but no written sheet. I do find that they are much more comfortable speaking about someone else than about themselves.
John
Yulia,
I like the idea of the interview sheet. Having a prepared sheet makes it seem more for real and serious.
Patricia
I do very similar activity: I pair students and ask them to interview the partner (using a interview sheet i create and pass along). After they chat and warm up they have the introduce their partner. It usually a good ice breaker.
Melanie,
One thing I alsways do is a classroom "bonding" exercise usually "My New Best Friend" or "3 Things I Like About You." Studnets do not like to get infront of the group and talk about themself, but given 10 minutes to discover interesting facts about a fellow student, they will present this information to the class and give everyone a chance to get to know all members along with interesting facts about each one.
Good luck.
Hello Melanie,
I make it a point to let my students know that I have memorized ALL names on the first day. I show my friendly, professional, and caring side as well.
Patricia
