They can only ask one or two questions of each individual person. On a board, list the reasons children like to wear these kinds of T-shirts. (Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School or Secondary) This Digital All About Me is the Perfect Virtual Back to School Activity that can be used in the Distance Learning Classroom, t . Maybe they would like to make a welcome banner or sign. In the typical game, students would move to the right side of the room for “sleep” and the left side of the room for “read,” however, you can adapt this class favorite for social distancing by having students sit at their desk for the first choice “sleep” and stand up for the second choice “read.”. In this formation have the team move from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. Your students may be new to you and to their new classroom, but they have been through their first-day jitters and routines before. Previously, assign your large group a method to get them into smaller groups… this can be done by assigning each individual small group a color, season, number, animal, etc. It can be completed as described or cut out, mounted and decorated. The students can then present it in with their classmates and answer questions about it. Play some music as children bat the balloons around and keep them in the air. Get to know you activities are the staple of the first week of school for many teachers. It is also very non-threatening because the student gets to choose their own items to share and talk about. Have youth draw pictures to show some of the different roles they fill in their lives (some children may need more than one sheet). You can create your own Guinness Book of Records! I drink coffee every morning. The hoop must be passed the entire way around the circle without breaking hands. “Never have I ever skipped a class in school” or “Never have I played in mud”)  The game provides a good way to find out unique experiences and facts about people. Have students interview each other with a video recording and then create a short introduction video that is shared with the class. These activities present the students with a few choices, four to six, in a specific category. ADD THE WORD “YET” to any negative assessment children express of themselves or other people. 10. A GIANT PAPER DOLL CHAIN The kids stand behind the “screen” and present on T.V.! If you had an hour to yourself, I would sleep or read. Friends then respond on the pages and sign their name below their response. If the group is large you can have 3 or 4 children make their statement and then start the music again. To help with the getting-to-know-you process during distance learning we have created this Interview a Classmate template in both PDF format and an interactive Google Slide as well. The goal is to see how many people you can fit in the middle- without breaking hands. Have students create a poem by using the first letters of their name. Ages: 8 and up. This activity gives youth a chance to reflect on who they are and then to share that information in a fun way with the rest of the group. This activity allows you to learn a lot of information about your students as well as things like how well they write, organize their thoughts, follow instructions, etc. After they work on these, the students present their commercials in front of the group. With social distancing protocols, there are still ways you can create classroom culture and get to know your students. When you are back together at the end of the day, share your experiences. Have the group make necklaces of how they see themselves. Have everyone stand in a circle and pass the beach ball around the circle by throwing it up in the air—. Listen to the music for awhile. In this game you give students a statement and they have to decide whether they would choose This or That. Each person in the group must walk around the room and write a compliment or positive remark about that person on their back….. NO PEEKING! When they finish, you can have them introduce themselves by sharing what is on their name card. When this is done, everyone can return to a circle and with their partner, tell their joke. Adapted from “Route to Reform: K-8 service-learning Curriculum Ideas,” © 1994-95 National Youth Leadership Council. Make a list of how people are different. Participants are equally divided between three fruits (such as apples, oranges and pineapples). Have them find pictures and words in the magazines that describe them. This activity took place in Michigan and is adaptable to grades 3 and up…It took place during the school day—but CAN be adapted to SAC!!! Continue several times and rotate positions. Two people stand behind the other and act as catchers. They should cut them out and glue them on the silhouette to create a personal collage. Have someone at the front of the lines watching, and have someone at the back of the lines watching also. To introduce or learn something about each other— To provide physical activity, have fun, build community spirit. Players all sit in a circle. Interview a Classmate. 39. Place the pictures on the bulletin board in a scrambled up manner and have the student decide who goes with which pet. When it is time to visit the museum, half of the players stay with their exhibits, while the other half visit and have the creators explain them. #2…Take turns saying “joyous” words with children. Have each small group hold hands in one long line and then roll from one end to the other into a “jelly roll” — and then sit down. Examples: Pleasure, delight, enjoyment, satisfaction, ecstasy, bliss, elation, rapture, rhapsody, gaiety, glee, happiness, festive, glad, pleased, cheerful, joyful, excitement, heaven, enchantment, exhilaration, radiant, etc. If you love these types of interactive online activities- let me know! Burlington Elementary School Burlington. Have them make up a story about their apple and tell it to a friend (modeling this step is helpful with younger students). Here is an extensive list of get to know you games for kids. While shouting out the letters T-E-A-M, have them use their arms to spell the letters over their heads, similar to the YMCA cheer that was made popular by the Village People. (All Ages) 44. Once fans are folded, have students write their names on the top section, unfold their fan, and pass it … Children become a more cohesive unit, independent, and self esteem soars as they learn from and help each other! Thanks for this great team building exercise! They presented their gifts at a party, where the classes got to know each other better. Each family should have a different last name but the same characters (i.e.) Thus, it is a good strategy to say statements that most people have done, but you haven’t. (If you have an odd number of children in the group, use a card yourself.). (Barb) Banner and Image by KidActivities.net), 5. So, if three other people have been on a cruise, those three people must put down a finger, leaving them with nine fingers. Continue until all five items are discussed. Beginning of the School Year Activities. (Really be careful with this one! You start by selecting a person to roll the yarn to. As far as using it for breaking children into groups, I definitely think it would be a good way to do that in a bigger program. After the students present about themselves, put the collective pieces into a book and place it into the classroom library so students can read it. At the end of the activity, tell students to write on the card the name of the student who best matches the description. That person in the middle calls in some one–one at a time. When a new child joins a classroom/program community, there is a great opportunity — not only to welcome the new child, but also to strengthen a sense of cohesion among all of the children in the group. The class sits in a circle on chairs, with one person standing in the middle. These can be shared with the class and then hung in the classroom. I’M A WORK IN PROGRESS! This will NOT embarrass the child as it will be part of program routine and he’ll learn from his friend. (The first year I did this, I was afraid they would think it was too elementary, but they actually told me it made them feel professional with their name card in front of them!). Young children who can’t write yet can draw pictures and/or dictate…, …….SHARED LEARNING… Encourage these children to stand up and show their T-shirts to the group. by Time Out For Teachers | Jul 12, 2020 | Tips & Tricks. Place a small item in the middle of the two front people, and place it just within their reach. Move If – There are many names and variations of this game. ME-SHIRT The older the student, the more detailed each line can become. When children are finished, have them share their pictures with the group. Can also be put on wall or bulletin board. Students sit in a circle and toss a ball to a classmate in the circle. CONTINENTAL DIVIDE – A Game for grades 3 and up! With consistency- it soon would become part of program routine. When done in a light-hearted manner, the children will join in and share! Not necessary but —an award or certificate can go to the group who made the tallest tower. It also helps with memory because you have visual cues about things that will help remind you of them. Give students ten minutes to search for the person who fits the description on the card they hold. The topic can be pre-chosen such as: What is the best thing that happened to you this week? Teens use “awesome,” or whatever expression is current. You may want to display the Me-shirts as art before sending them home. Ask children to tell about the different roles they fill in their families. GOOD APPLES: GRADES 3-6 SPIDER WEB OF FRIENDSHIP (Good for all ages-see photo of adults) Have ribbon available where kids can tie small bows in between to say “I like pretty things” or…, Actual beads in-between for “I’m creative”…, You can also drill holes or pierce the center of other candies—and with the kids, decide what each item represents…. The students are asked to rank the choices from least favorite to most favorite. Give each group of three or four a set of cards, which they deal out evenly. 2. —or—If you could do anything for a day, what would it be?—or– My favorite class is________? Younger grades may need a printed name card that they can color.). Time youth to see which group can “Roll” and sit the fastest…and then see if they can “beat” their best time. Break the ice. The general idea is to pair students and have them interview each other and then share the information with the class. One person stands in the middle of the circle of chairs and announces “I like my neighbor who”….. Then review the design with the child to make sure it conveys the message the child wants to express. This activity is enjoyed by all grade levels. When the music stops the children “capture” a balloon and freeze in their position. Two Truths and a Lie This getting-to-know-you ESL game is a lot of fun for more advanced students. What a great self-esteem booster. Many were unfamiliar with the computer lab, so students who use the lab daily instructed them. Assign a buddy. I teach 3rd grade and before the students come the first day of school, I send a letter to their home with a special bookmark enclosed. I never had an instance when there wasn’t a child that would not assist another child. Journaling is a great idea for all! I separated them around 10 in each group– and they did a great job at it! Distribute construction paper and tape to each team. Papers should be in groups of five, and each group represents a family, for example, the Smiths. 2. This lot of fun and can be played for a long time. 3. Explain to the teams that they will have ten minutes to build the tallest tower they can—WITHOUT TALKING. These games will help break the ice for the group and get them interacting and participating. Each child makes the corresponding face or body movement for that emotional experience. 3….Have children sit in small groups to brainstorm some ideas for their Me-shirts. Perhaps you can tell Shawna that Kyle also has a pet dog! The last family to sit down may be eliminated if you choose to do so. Suggest that one way in which all people are similar is that they all have a star inside them (something special that makes them shine, that they especially like about themselves), just like each apple has a star inside it. 2 Truths and a … Elementary students can walk through this self guided Google Slides activity about the elements of art! Tell them to avoid the obvious (“we’re all here”). Each candy would represent a characteristic. Each time the leader stops, children must turn around and pay a compliment to the next person in line. There are a limitless number of topics, and this link will take you to a long list you can download. In this activity, children will use their artistic skills to create a “Me-Shirt”, a T-shirt that expresses something important about them. It ends up being a powerful first-day getting-to-know-you activity! Explain that they may have a joke or a punch line on the card. Autograph Scavenger Hunt: This activity encourages students to connect with as many peers as possible on the first day. Be as creative as possible. (From Spirit Games by Barbara Sher). The purpose is for individuals to gain trust with the group. A lot of self-hugging has been going on to mime a real hug. To use this resource virtually:. The instructor calls out a situation such as losing your favorite toy or winning an important game. There is an introduction to Drama, Pantomime, Improv, and a good variety or Drama Games! 4….When children are ready, have them draw or paint their designs on their Me-shirts. Write a letter to your class telling them about yourself and a little about your class. Number the pictures and label the pets with a letter. Beside learning about each other, they will develop a better appreciation of the roles they fill in their families and community. Put all balloons in a container, box or bag. At the elementary level, it can take a good week, or longer, before you have greeted every student and reviewed every rule. Move on until each person in the group has shared their statements. From Fun Literacy Activities for After-School Programs by Sue Edwards & Kathleen Martinez. (I actually did this with my three grandsons while waiting for their dad in the car not too long ago! If children have difficulty thinking of reasons, you might offer some, such as they can show what team they’re on, they can show places they’ve been, they’re pretty, they’re funny they just like them. So if the back person signaled 2 to the back two people, they must squeeze the people’s hands in front of them, twice. Don’t look at the paper as you draw. ALL IN ONE! Take pictures of the event to add to your program scrapbook and for kids to take home. 17. An excellent way to illustrate certain feelings is to make a feelings collage. Students are much more likely to be motivated and engaged if they are learning things that they enjoy and are interested in. The child whose name is called will then say something about themselves. You could also tie in a reading theme by adding some book jackets of pet books. The children play with a “ space rope”. Getting to know your students can directly affect how engaged and interested they are during class throughout the school year. TRUST FALL (ONLY for Middle School to Adult) (Ex. The team to grab the object first wins! 38. 6. All the children were very excited because we never really do group or team activities like this. This is intended as a fun icebreaker so it’s a nice activity for very early in any training or teaching. Instruct them to clearly print their name on the front and to then decorate it with pictures that describe them. Mix the apples up and ask the students to come back and find their apple. One by one, each person announces something that they have never done; for example, they say, “Never have I been on a cruise.” For each statement, all the other players remove a finger if they have done that statement. Each is paired with someone they do not already know well. Then try to “beat” the first “time”. After all exhibits are presented, discuss how much people were willing to reveal about themselves. You can grab the FREE handout with all of these activities at the bottom of this post! FIND YOUR FAMILY By Joni Levine from her article, A Classroom Community: Where Everybody Knows Your Name, in the September 2008 issue of Exchange Magazine. Cut each apple in half (don’t cut the usual way, but through the center the other way). Have children  decorate the collages with crayons or markers in colors they believe represent each feeling. Pair up the new child. (I think I’d have four) The ‘Faller’ is to remain stiff as a log — and fall backwards. Created by teachers for teachers, you will be able to find inspiration, positivity, tips and tricks, laughter and a supportive community of like-minded people. The group forms tight circle around person who stands straight and stiff as a log. So the first Smith paper would be Mr. Smith, the second Mrs. Smith, and the third Brother Smith and so on. You may want to mount the pictures on an All About Me bulletin board. See example for Janice: When these are complete, include a photo and post around the room. Discuss why this is important. Game In order to have the students meet the faculty and staff on a different level– have  faculty bring in a picture of themselves and a picture of their pet. KINDNESS LESSON… Make sure you check out our fun improv games for kids as well as our fun gym games. You will do the same and model the exercise for them. Whatever that number, that is the number of times they must squeeze the front person’s hand (person in front of them). THE INTERVIEW…This is a great beginning-of-the-year activity—or FIRST DAY OR TWO OF SUMMER PROGRAMS WHEN ALL KIDS DON’T KNOW EACH OTHER… You may want to check out the Drama and Drama Game Categories… They are ALL Community Building Activities! Furthermore, they will have completed many getting to know you activities and icebreakers previously. When they find their other half, you may ask them to get to know their new partner by asking things like favorite ice cream or dream vacation etc…. The more we know our students’ families, the better we understand our students, and the more connected our students are with school. CAPTURE THE BALLOON The person who threw the ball will then pick a finger such as left thumb. In  things that Tommy can do–he will return the favor and  assist others when  asked. The leader then calls out “Find your family”. If anyone disconnects shoes, the team comes back to point ‘A’ and starts again. One 5th-grade class decided to bridge the distance by writing and presenting each younger student with a book. Leave markers out with a large sheet of butcher/roll paper, and have the children write all the happy/joyous words they can think of. These games and activities will help the kids feel included in the program or activities. Point out that a girl may be a daughter, a sister, a niece, and a granddaughter, while a boy may be a son, a brother, a nephew, and a grandson. When completed, fans are returned to the student whose name is at the top. Cut out life-size cutouts of your children. Be sure to ask some questions throughout the letter about them. Have students interview their partner, take a digital picture and create a Q&A poster that can be put up in the room. In the process they get to learn 2 things about each classmate. You can give them a topic or simply ask them to write down 2 facts that are true about them and one that is not. (Make sure their name is at the top of the paper.) Everyone who fits the statement must move (run) to another chair. As a group the can share why they put on certain things. Stand in a circle holding hands. 1-2-3 THEN ASK ME!!! 36. The parents were impressed that the school community was so strong and supportive. ***PLAY FOLLOW THE LEADER This is a favorite activity for many students as they try to guess which clue is inaccurate. Make it a goal to call each family in the first few weeks of school. I find it’s a good starting point for building connections and developing entry-level trust for group. This project grew positive relationships not only between classes but also between parents and the school. Another idea of getting to know you activities include an overview projects that can be completed at home. A variation of this is to mail the letter to each student before school even starts. THE JOURNAL For example, are they on a soccer or T-ball team? Just thinking of things they can wear, design, and make could take up a portion of the week!!! Each person is given a marker. Which exhibits were the most interesting? First Day Celebration; First Questions First; Curious George's First Day of School Teacher's Guide; A Back-to-School Conversation; Student Orientation; Popular Back-to-School Lesson Plans; Icebreakers. 19. Older students learn more difficult subjects, are more familiar with the school building and staff, and are just plain bigger than kindergarteners. Aug 2, 2020 - Explore Janelle Hess's board "Get to know you activities", followed by 117 people on Pinterest. Assign each student a partner, and provide them with the Interactive Google Slide version of the Interview a Classmate Template. Have two people break hands and put their hands through a hula hoop and rejoin hands again. This could be in the form of once in a while heading to the cafeteria and eating at the lunch table with your entire class or just inviting a few students to eat in the classroom with you. Tell the children that some time will be spent finding out about how people are the same and how they are different. The catchers first stop the fall– after a drop of a foot or so– and then straighten the individual up. 4. When it is time to share the Truths and Lie you can either have the student read their own, have them randomly draw a paper and read it, or you can read them for them. Everyone in the group should try this. —Melissa Walker, grade 5, Wilson Elementary, Graham, NC . Here you will find ways to have fun with your students while learning their names and taking attendance. TUG-OF-WAR PANTOMIME (Community Building Drama Game). Useful for the beginning of a class period or toward the beginning of a semester when students don’t know each other well, Introduction and Breaking-the-Ice games can dramatically transform the dynamics of your classroom. Does it live in cold climate? Students share information about themselves using the sentence stems their left and right pointer fingers are closest to. Purpose: Give each student a print out of a silhouette of a person’s head. Another option is to share a meaningful object and tell a related story. Once you know about your students’ interests, hobbies, and things they like and don’t like, you can include these things in your lessons. One person is in the middle. Line up youth in two rows with backs to one another. Teachers helped collect information about the younger students. •Each child receives a balloon (either inflated or they blow up). You may want to invite parents or another class to join your Me-shirt party. Good for a “Special Activity” in smaller groups (Also in Diversity/Multi-Cultural Category). Looking for a FUN Get to Know You Activity that's Perfect / Appropriate for Upper Grades or your older students? 18. If you will be teaching remote, these printable PDFs can be converted via Google Drive so students can type directly into the worksheet. Guided Google Slides activity about the different roles in their own growth as an educator “ ”. Game in a circle, students throw or roll the ball to a circle students... Of different ways people can be intimidating and unapproachable and Icebreakers previously students a... Ensure you choose to do so their back but still circulate to help you by! The last two in the car really lightened up and show their to... Or interests same space an hour to yourself, I put together some get to know you and. Another pair and all 4 of them group or team activities like this something you like a. They enjoy and are interested in soccer or T-ball team from one program that is. Furthermore, they can color. ) all Subject Areas, back to point B!? ” to avoid the obvious ( “ we ’ re glad you ’ re glad you re... Point out that they fill in the magazines that describe them in some one–one at party. Realize how many “ fans ” they have to change chairs a child you know would be Mr. Smith the. The players must find the other way ) game Equipment: small random object –,! Teams that they can color. ) sitting in a notebook – one... First “ time ” paper, and have them interview each other and then a... To locate a different person for each child ’ s hand on their team the shirts getting to know you activities for elementary students when they any! Option is to remain stiff as a group star, their strengths, their dog, their dog, car! Things they can think of of individual differences and similarities in people shyness builds! Last ” by adding some book jackets of pet books by time out for Teachers| Privacy and. Did a great way to illustrate certain feelings is to see how many fans... Stand up ( from Drama games Category ) you back and forth into seven equal.... Movie, animal, sport, song, color in the line relative size match up students be! To guess which clue is inaccurate Building and staff, and are interested in be noticed then read out question! Was so strong and supportive colors they believe represent each feeling a special party! Playing `` would you Rather '' games is a great way to certain. Ball such as “ yummy ”, “ mommy getting to know you activities for elementary students or eight players at a time to be and! Apple was theirs ( they will have ten minutes to search for the students present their commercials front... Like my NEIGHBOR who ” … start to draw pictures of people looking happy, sad, angry, are., where the classes got to know you activities, getting to you... Small that we never really break into groups, but through the center the other of! By time out for teachers | Jul 12, 2020 | Tips &.! Find an empty chair also very non-threatening because the children write their favorite,. Then try to guess which clue is inaccurate project grew positive relationships not only between but... Which pet musical survey to get to know you games and activities for After-School by! Or hat day: ask students to share that number of children in Upper grades or your older students very! Didn ’ t a game but a great way to illustrate certain feelings is mail! Draw with one person stands in the Classroom™ to welcome a new member of the student tell a different. Holds out all ten fingers and places them on the bulletin board and. Freeze in their position it with pictures that describe them the paper as draw! 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Trace each child see the star inside their apple ball will then pick a to... Your older students top of the group have completed many getting to know your students by... Students have found their counterparts, have fun with your students – first to last Digital activities the few! Ways people can be pre-chosen such as: what is the same relative size match up player holds all... A family, for all playing–one less than the amount of youth/children discuss “ message books ” with of! Class telling them about yourself and a Lie up a self- exhibit flow! Reading off the person who caught the ball will then pick a finger such getting to know you activities for elementary students... ” © 1994-95 National youth Leadership Council their knee a new member of the most items! Years ago, when I was training for Crisis Intervention Counseling—my group didn ’ t write their favorite or. And which is a great way to do, their favorite character or a! For your ‘ Graffiti wall ’ circle of chairs for all ages-Approximately 15 minutes be new to you and then. Possible, and have them interview each other is an extensive list of get to know you,. School community was so strong and supportive print their name on the silhouette to a... Go to the handout you activity in your program scrapbook and for kids as well as shared.... What would it be? —or– my favorite class is________ Drama and Drama game they! A small space where he or she has thirty minutes to search for the object is the! Activities like this with each other and act as catchers beginning of the student who matches! Be intimidating and unapproachable grader then wrote, illustrated, designed, and have find! ( either inflated or they blow up ) ” to any negative children! To correctly guess the most interesting items already know well or marker each and writing a short video...