I work in a regional Catholic schools and up until this year it has been two campuses and there has only been one of each grade... therefore, the kids have known each other forever and never needed 'ice breaker' type activities...
The other campus closed and has moved over to our building, therefore there will be two of each grade and mixed classes...
I need some creative ideas for fifth graders to get to know each other... Help! :)
swags1016
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Re: Question for teachers...
You could do guess the fib or find the person who or inside outside circle.
I like guess the fib the best. Have the students start off by stating their name where they are from (if they are not from the same town) and then 3 things about themselves. But one of those 3 things must be a believable lie
Or if you know something about the kids already or can wait a day you do a survey, students must find someone who went to disney or any other facts that you can find out about each kid
Inside outside circle students form 2 circles facing each other on inside the other and you have them rotate opposite and they must ask each person that they wind up facing a question about themselves.
GoingNutty
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Re: Question for teachers...
Thanks those sound good :) I was actually thinking of the circle thing but I got the idea from seeing those 'speed dating' things on TV :)
The fib thing is cute as well. I usually give them a story about me with some reading comprehension questions... I was thinking of having them write their own as well... but for me to read so I could get to know THEM.
Any other ideas would be great!
swags1016
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Re: Question for teachers...
I always give my kids on the first day as their homework, 12 questions getting to know them. You can do something like that. I teach middle school so for the first 2 months it doesn't really help me right away, except sometimes children will share additional stuff with you that the school doesn't tell you, but after I really know who all my kids are then I go back to read them to give me some insight. I keep them in a binder next to my desk and whenever I feel like I am not reaching a kid, I will go back and reread it to see if there is anything in there I can use to 'grab' the kid.
GoingNutty
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Re: Question for teachers...
I usually give both the kids and parents a questionaire about themselves the first day so that I have impotant info. It's amazing what great information parents will give you that is so helpful!!
I also usually do 'Me Bags', where kids put about 5 items into a bag that tell about them... then we all share to see what they have in common and what interests they have. It's cute and they love it!
swags1016
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I like the Me bags that is very cute!!
dandg
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There is a book out there called the First Six Weeks of School. Not sure who the author is but I know there are a ton of ice breaker activities in it.
DebsNY
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Re: Question for teachers...
you can also do a questioner with questions like 'what's you're favorite movie, tv show, food, ect.' and then have the kids go around the classroom to see who else has similar interests as them.
The Morning Meeting Book by Roxann Kriete has some good activities in the Group Activities chapter that may work :)
