Every new school year brings a new group of teachers and students together. And as an educator, that means it’s almost time for you to figure out how to break the ice in the classroom and turn a group of individuals into a unit. Education World has some interesting ideas to help teachers and younger students get acquainted. Here are a few that I like:

• Instead of just telling students what you expect from them, try asking them what they expect from you. Doing this helps initiate a dialog that simply can’t happen if you’re talking at them instead of with them. Also, students’ answers can help you learn how they think. Try writing and recording all their suggestions on your markerboard or chalkboard for future reference.
• Make a time capsule. Have everyone write down their favorite music, food, sports and activities on their own index cards, and have each student share what they’ve written. Collect the cards, stick them in a drawer for the year, and bring them back out so the students can see how they’ve grown and changed. It helps students talk and find some common ground, and it also provides a nice way for everyone to reflect on how far they’ve come as a class at the end of the year.
• Give each member of the class a paper plate and have them write down their name, then draw something that’s important to them, whether it’s a person, a place, a possession, or an activity. When everyone’s finished, go around the room and have everyone share and explain they’ve drawn. Collect all the plates and post them on a bulletin board. Now students can walk by the board every day and feel a sense of pride and ownership over their classroom.

Whatever you choose to do, it’s important to keep students engaged and in sync with the rest of the class. A group that learns together is often the group that learns best, and breaking the ice enables everyone to get off to a good start.

(Photo via FreePhotosBank)