The first day of school is nerve wracking for students, especially if they are new to the school. These icebreakers will help the students get to know each other and make new friends. They also can be used by the teacher to make teams and groups. They are quiet games that can be played indoors or outside in just a few minutes.
Multiplication Match Up Introduction Game
Make a set of index cards with as many students as are in the class. One card should have a multiplication problem on it, such as 4x2, and another card should have the answer, 8. As students enter the room, hand each one a card. Once everyone is in the room tell the students they must find the person with the card that matches the problem or solution on their own card.
The partners may now introduce themselves by answering a question the teacher poses. Some question ideas might be, "What is your favorite ice cream?" or "Do you have any pets, and what are their names?" Collect the cards and play again. Continue the game several times until students have had the opportunity to meet many classmates.
Motion Name Teambuilding Game
Students all stand up by their desks. Students should say their names and make a motion. For example, Sandra, clap. The next person will repeat, Sandra, clap, and then say his name and a motion. The third person must repeat the first two names and motions and then do her own. This is best done in small groups of 4-8.
Have one person from each group volunteer to be the spokesperson. One group stands up and the spokesperson says the names and makes the motions of all the students in the group. As he says the name of a person in his group, that person should sit down. This introduces the students to the class.
Group Juggling Icebreaker Idea
After the students have learned each other’s names, have them form a circle. Throw a beach ball to one of the students, saying “Heads up, (student name).” The student catches the beach ball, then says, “Heads up, (another student’s name),” and throws the ball to that person. Once a person has thrown the ball, he should cross his arms so that everyone gets a turn.
When students can say each other’s names quickly, play the game again, but this time add two or three more balls or objects. This time, everyone plays and no one crosses their arms.
Slap Slap Snap Snap Icebreaker Activity
Students sit in a circle. The teacher begins a four beat rhythm by slapping her hands on her thighs two times, then snapping her fingers two times. On the snap, she calls out a student's name. On the next snap, that student must call another student's name. Play continues until all the students have snapped.
This game can also be played by going around the circle and having each student call out his or her own name on the snap. Then it can advance to another round where they call on each other.
Cop and Criminal Icebreaker Game
Take all the face cards out of a deck except for a Jack and a King. The Jack is the criminal and the King is the cop. Once the cards have been handed out, the students should stand around the room not revealing their cards. The person who is the criminal winks at another student. That student says, “My name is (say his name) and I committed a crime.” The person sits down.
The job of the cop is to figure out who is the criminal holding the Jack card. The game continues until the criminal has been identified, or everyone has committed a crime, except for the cop. The game may be played again, but change the signal each time.
When this game is done, students may be grouped by suit, hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades, or grouped by numbers on the cards. More grouping ideas are in the article "How to Get Students Into Groups".
These icebreaker games can be adapted and used throughout the school year as a quick energizer or a brain break. They are simple ways of helping the students feel comfortable and have fun getting to know each other.
Here is a fun Back to School Activity Idea for a first week assignment.
Suzanne Pitner - Suzanne Pitner is a teacher and published writer. A member of RWA and YARWA, she writes fiction as Suzanne Lilly.
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