Icebreakers

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FOURTEEN ICEBREAKERS FOR THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL
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PARCEL & YARN:

This idea can be adapted as a way for you as teacher to intro yourself to the class and was found on [] – it fits in nicely with developing the class community.

“My introduction to the students is sharing a part of my interests and self by taking a small white paper bag (lunch bag size) with my name written in crayon and decorated with stickers, sequins, etc.. I place about 5 – 10 different items that tell about myself. Chocolate Hershey bar ( I love chocolate…what teacher doesn’t?), picture of my animals, sea shells, NY Yankees pennant (favorite baseball team), favorite book, a little potted plant, (enjoyment of gardening), a baby rattle & picture of my new baby, etc… After sharing this with the students, I pass out these same type of bags and direct the students to bring no more than 10 items depicting their interests and likes (must fit in the bag!) They then will take turns explaining their items – sometimes I video the presentations to be used later on in the year. The students learn a lot about each other as well as provide you with their interests on which to use and build on during the school year for motivation and/or conversation. I finish up the day by bringing the students and a large skein of yarn (rolled into a ball) outside and sit everyone into a circle. I begin by holding the end of the string and tell something about another person I learned, then I gently toss the ball to another student, they must share something they learned about another student. The ball is tossed around the circle weaving a “web” until the yarn is totally unrolled. This allows for bringing the class together as a “family” from day one, making your interests common ones, and helping new students unfamiliar with those who know each other more comfortable now that they know the others a bit better. -”Botn1″