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ICEBREAKER #1
BLOBS AND LINES
HOW TO PLAY In this icebreaker, students are prompted to either line up in some particular order (by birthday, for example) or gather in “blobs” based on something they have in common (similar shoes, for example). What’s great about this game is that it helps students quickly discover things they have in common. It’s also ridiculously easy: Students don’t have to come up with anything clever, and they can respond to every question without thinking too hard about it. This game keeps students moving and talking, and it builds a sense of belonging and community in your classroom.
Here are some sample prompts you can use for this game:
Line up in alphabetical order by your first names.
Line up in alphabetical order by your last names. Gather with people who have the same eye color as you. Gather with people who get to school in the same way as you (car, bus, walk). Line up in order of your birthdays, from January 1 through December 31. Line up in order of how many languages you speak. Choose 1 of 3 blobs about how you spent your summer: o 1) watching movies, Netflix (etc), or YouTube, o 2) working, creating, or building o 3) traveling or visiting friends or family Gather with people who have the same lunch as you. ICEBREAKER #2
CONCENTRIC CIRCLES HOW TO PLAY This icebreaker has students arrange themselves in an inside circle and an outside circle, the inside facing out, forming pairs. Pairs discuss their answers to a getting-to-know-you question, then rotate for the next question, forming a new partnership. This game gives students the chance to have lots of one- on-one conversations with many of their classmates and helps them quickly feel more at home in your class.
The possibilities for questions in this kind of configuration are endless; be
sure to use more open-ended questions that can get students talking, rather than those that simply ask for a yes or no answer. Here are some sample questions:
Do you play any sports? If so, which ones?
Do you consider yourself shy or outgoing? Why? What was the last movie you saw? Did you like it? Describe your perfect dinner. What would you do with a million dollars? What is one thing you’re good at? ICEBREAKER #3
THIS OR THAT HOW TO PLAY This icebreaker has students informally debate on light topics such as “Which animal makes a better pet…dog or cat?” Students have to choose a position, then physically move to the side of the room that most closely represents their opinion—one side means dogs, the other side means cats—and then talk about why they chose that spot. This game has always been a HUGE hit with any group I’ve ever taught: It builds student confidence with talking in front of their peers, it helps students quickly find kindred spirits, and it’s also just a lot of fun.
Sample questions for This or That:
Would you rather live in the country or the city?
Should all students be required to learn a second language? Which is worse: bad breath or body odor? Would you rather be indoors or outdoors? Which is better: Playing sports or watching sports? Would you rather travel every single day or never leave home?
