5 Back to School Get to Know You Ice Breakers for Kids
Ah, the back-to-school season for new students.
The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the buzz of student voices, and the excitement of meeting new classmates as a new school year begins.
But let's face it, for kids (and teachers), the first day and beginning of the school year can be a bit nerve-wracking. That's where these five get-to-know-you icebreakers come in - they'll have your students bonding faster than you can say "recess."
Whether you're a seasoned educator or a first-year teacher, these activities are guaranteed to break the ice and create a fun-filled atmosphere for everyone, no matter the grade level. So put away those dusty old textbooks and get ready to find a great way to have some back-to-school fun!
Why Ice Breakers Matter
As we all know, starting a conversation with strangers can be awkward and uncomfortable. This is especially true for elementary school students learning to navigate social situations. That's why icebreakers are an essential tool in any teacher's arsenal and can be a fun way to get to know your new students! Using fun and interactive activities like "getting to know you" or "would you rather," teachers can create a relaxed and welcoming environment where children feel comfortable opening up.
One of the most significant benefits of icebreakers is that they help students get to know each other better. These games encourage kids to share information about themselves that they might not otherwise reveal, whether it's their favorite food or whether they would rather eat chocolate ice cream rather than vanilla. By sharing these details, students see each other as real people with unique interests and personalities instead of just faceless classmates in a boring school activity.
Would You Rather Back to School Edition Icebreaker Questions
The first day of school and the new year is just around the corner, and let's face it – everyone's a little nervous. Whether your kids are starting fresh at a new school or just getting ready to tackle another year with their classmates, there's no better way to break the ice than with some hilarious "Would You Rather?" questions. Not only will these fun prompts help your kids get to know each other better, but they'll also be sure to put a smile on everyone's faces.
So without further ado, here are some of our favorite "Would You Rather?" questions for the back-to-school season: Would you rather greet your teacher with a dance, or would you rather greet your teacher with a high five? Would you rather write with paper or type on a device or computer?
Would You Rather Back to School Themed questions for kids is a fun way to get your kids talking and discussing their opinions in the primary classroom. Use these questions to get kids talking or typing. These 15 questions also make great writing prompts, class discussions, polls, brain breaks, and community building, as well. Plus, 5 BONUS Maker activities are perfect for Makerspace and yours for FREE. Grab them at the link below.
Whole Class All About Me Hand Up, Stand Up, Pair Up
Are you ready to break the ice on the first day of school? Look no further than the Whole Class All About Me Hand Up, Stand Up, Pair Up activity! This fun and interactive game is a great way to get to know your students' names and personalities while promoting team building. (Hand Up, Stand Up, Pair Up is a Kagan Cooperative Learning Structure that encourages high-engagement learning.)
The rules are simple: each student writes their name on a piece of paper or fills out an All About Me survey like the one pictured above and holds it up high. Then, they stand up and pair up with another student. The two students take turns introducing themselves and sharing one interesting fact about themselves before thanking each other for responding. (Choose the first student to speak by telling the students that the one with the most siblings gets to go first. Helping kids know who to talk first is a quick way to figure out who will go first and makes it fun.) The next person to speak will be the partner. This is also a great time to introduce kids to active listening and praising one another. This process continues until you call time.
Not only does this activity help you remember the student names, but it also allows them to learn more about each other comfortably and engagingly.
A Favorite Thing: Find Someone Who
Are you tired of the same old boring icebreakers that make everyone cringe and wish they were anywhere else but in a large circle with their classmates? Well, fear no more! I have found the perfect way to break the ice and get everyone excited to learn about each other. It's called "Find Someone Who," and it will quickly become your favorite thing to do in the classroom.
Here's how it works: Each student gets a piece of paper with a list of characteristics or experiences. (You can find this icebreaker inside my back-to-school theme packets.)
They then have to go around the room and find someone who matches each item on their list. It may sound simple, but trust me; it's anything but boring. You'll be surprised at how much you can learn about your classmates in just a few minutes. You can even play some fun music to liven up the experience. Find Someone Who is a great activity to get kids up and moving. It is definitely my favorite icebreaker activity.
Not only is this game fun and engaging, but it also helps build connections between students who may not have spoken otherwise.
Classroom Bingo
Scavenger hunts are always a fun way to spice up any classroom activity. But have you ever considered trying out Classroom Bingo? This game is like regular Bingo, but kids will search for similarities in classmates instead of numbers. Here is a different way to play and new things you can discover in the process.
First up, Classroom Bingo. This one is perfect for the first day of class. Students fill in the descriptions about themselves in the answer blank on the bingo cards like the one below. (This activity can also be found in all of my back-to-school theme packs.) Then kids try to find classmates who have the same answer, and then they sign their names. The goal is to fill a row and say Bingo! You can even give them a time limit, like the length of 1-2 songs you play while they walk and gather signatures. This game is also fun to play and the end of the first week of school. Plus, you learn things like how many family members kids have or what is someone's favorite color.
Icebreaker Games: Two Truths and a Lie
Looking for a fun way to break the ice with new classmates? Look no further than the classic game of Two Truths and a Lie! This game is not only entertaining, but it also helps kids get to know each other better. The best part? There are always correct answers - just don't be fooled by those tricky lies!
Here's how it works: each child takes turns sharing three statements about themselves - two true and one false. The catch is that these statements must be believable enough to make it challenging for others to guess which one is the lie. And let's face it; some people are just really good at giving silly responses.
The beauty of this game lies in its versatility - you can ask different questions like "I've eaten an entire pizza by myself" or more serious ones like "I've climbed Mount Everest. Kids are sharing some fun facts about themselves too!
Importance of Creating Connections
In conclusion, these five back-to-school icebreakers are guaranteed to make your elementary students laugh, open up and forget they're nervous! Whether you pick the "two truths and a lie" game or the "would you rather" activity, these games will help your students get to know each other better in a fun way. So don't be afraid to try them out on the first day of school! Remember, getting to know each other is essential to building a classroom community that everyone feels comfortable in.