9 Icebreaker Activities for the First Day of Class
In your college or university classroom, students from different walks of life and even different parts of the world gather for a shared goal: learning.
Despite this shared purpose, first-day nerves can discourage students from actively participating in the classroom. Icebreaker activities help students build connections with each other, get to know instructors better, and engage with the learning experience whether they’re learning online or in person.
Here are 9 Icebreakers to Use and Adapt in Your Classroom
Icebreakers range from silly to serious, but “the best ice-breakers simply are important, relevant activities that have as an additional feature an opportunity for the group to get acquainted.”
We’ve put together a list of classroom icebreakers that can help make personal introductions or link back to upcoming course material. Customize them for in-person or remote learning to make sure students get the most out of your class.
1. The Name Game
Write down famous celebrities, historical figures, or concepts in your field on a pad of sticky notes and give one to each student. Without letting students see what’s written on their note, have them attach it to their forehead.
Students must ask their classmates yes or no questions to figure out which name is on their forehead. In the process, they’ll meet other students, get to know them better, and get an introduction to the course.
2. Six-word Story
In six words, have students write down what they think the course is about, what they’re most excited about, or what they’re hoping to accomplish by the end of it.
Whether you’re teaching in person or online, have students introduce themselves and share their six-word stories with the class for a quick and easy icebreaker.
3. Opinion Corners
Make four signs — Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree — and put one in each corner of the room. Ask students opinion questions about topics covered in the course and have them move to the corner that most represents their view.
If you’re teaching online, have students represent their views through flashcards, chat responses, or online polls.
4. Syllabus Speed Intros
Divide students into two lines and have them sit across from each other. Each student should have a copy of the syllabus.
Ask students two questions — one personal, and the other about something that can be found in the syllabus. Give pairs a minute or two to find the answers before shuffling one row of students down for new pairings.
Now you can be sure that students read the syllabus and meet their new classmates in the process.
5. Brainstorming
Using your learning management system’s discussion board features, hold a class brainstorm to get students’ first-day feedback on:
- How do they learn best?
- What do they want to learn?
- What do they already know about your topic?
You’ll get valuable information about your class, and students will feel seen and heard when they get to share their ideas. If you have time, encourage discussion, and have students talk through some common themes.
6. Pop Quiz
Get a feel for what your students already know and activate prior knowledge with an interactive quiz. Put together some fun, quick questions about some of the topics your course covers.
To get students working together, even more, put them in pairs or small groups and challenge them to come up with the answers together.
7. Share Favourites
As students introduce themselves online or in person, have them share a favourite related to the course content like:
- Their favourite novel
- A current even they’re following
- A recent scientific discovery they’re excited about
Challenge students to keep their introduction to under thirty seconds to help move the exercise along.
8. Find Common Ground
Put students in pairs or small groups and challenge them to find three things they all have in common. For extra insights, have them also come up with one fact that makes them unique.
This icebreaker works especially well if you’re making groups students will work in for the rest of the semester. It’s a good way to help them bond at the start since they’ll be spending a lot of time together.
9. Share Learning Tips
Every student has their own unique learning style, so why not embrace it? Ask students to share their favourite study tips, time management technique, or essay-writing strategy with the class.
Use the insights to learn how your class learns best and encourage students to try some of the tips to see if they work for them!
Fostering a Spirit of Collaboration in Higher Education
Icebreakers are a great way to get students excited about learning and connecting with their fellow classmates, but the work doesn’t stop on the first day of school — it continues for the rest of the course.
Whether your icebreakers are linked to learning or just for fun, keep finding ways to encourage students to participate throughout the year. Not only will you get to know them better, but they’ll also benefit from deeper learning and more active involvement in the course.