Resources › For Educators Fun Classroom Introductions for the First Day of School 10 Perfect Icebreaker Activities for Adults and Children Share Flipboard Email Print For Educators Teaching Teaching Adult Learners An Introduction to Teaching Tips & Strategies Policies & Discipline Community Involvement School Administration Technology in the Classroom Issues In Education Teaching Resources Becoming A Teacher Assessments & Tests Elementary Education Secondary Education Special Education Homeschooling By Deb Peterson Deb Peterson Education Expert B.A., English, St. Olaf College Deb Peterson is a writer and a learning and development consultant who has created corporate training programs for firms of all sizes. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 11, 2019 Engage the adults or younger students in your classroom on the first day of school by helping them get to know each other with one of these 10 fun introductions for the classroom. When students know who they are sharing the classroom with, they engage more quickly and learn faster. People may laugh when you mention using an icebreaker in the classroom, but such activities can make you a better teacher by helping your students get to know each other better. When students are more comfortable in their surroundings, it's easier for them to learn—and for you to teach. 01 of 10 Two Truths and a Lie Ann Rippy/The Image Bank/Getty Images This is a quick and easy introduction game sure to foster lots of laughs. It's an easy game to play and you won't need any materials, just a group of people. It is ideal for 10 to 15 people. If you have a larger class, divide students into manageable groups so it doesn't take longer than 15 to 20 minutes to get through everyone. 02 of 10 People Bingo Deb Peterson Bingo is one of the most popular ice breakers because it’s so easy to customize for your particular group and situation, and everyone knows how to play it. Buy your bingo cards, or make your own. 03 of 10 Marooned Gabriela Medina/Getty Images This icebreaker is a great introduction when students don’t know each other, and it fosters team building in groups that already work together. You'll likely find that your students' answers are very revealing about who they are and how they feel about things. 04 of 10 Two-Minute Mixer Robert Churchill/E Plus/Getty Images You may have heard of eight-minute dating, where 100 people meet for an evening full of very brief "dates." They talk to one person for a brief period and then move on to the next prospective partner. Eight minutes is a long time in the classroom, so make this icebreaker a two-minute mixer instead. 05 of 10 The Power of Story Westend61 / Getty Images Students bring to your class varied backgrounds and worldviews. Older students bring an abundance of life experience and wisdom. Tapping into their stories can deepen the significance of whatever you've gathered to discuss. Let the power of story enhance your teaching. 06 of 10 Expectations Cultura/yellowdog/The Image Bank/Getty Images Expectations are powerful, especially when you're teaching new students. Understanding your students' expectations for the course you're teaching is the key to success. Find out on day one by combining expectations and introductions. 07 of 10 If You Had a Magic Wand Milan Zeremski/Getty Images If you had a magic wand, what would you change? This is an exercise that opens minds, considers possibilities, and energizes your group. 08 of 10 The Name Game Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images You may have people in your group who hate this icebreaker so much that they’ll still remember everyone’s name two years from now. You can make it harder by requiring everyone to add an adjective to their name that starts with the same letter, such as Cranky Carla, Blue-Eyed Bob, and Zesty Zelda. 09 of 10 If You Had Taken a Different Path VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Photodisc/Getty Images Almost everyone has wished at some point that they had taken a different path in life. This icebreaker allows participants to share their name, a little about the path they chose to take in life, and which path they would choose today. Ask them to explain whether the alternate path is related to the reason they are sitting in your classroom or attending your seminar. This icebreaker works best with adult students or upper-level high school students. 10 of 10 One-Word Icebreaker Daniel J. Cox / Getty Images You can't get more basic than a one-word icebreaker. This deceptively simple icebreaker will help you more than any painstakingly prepared activity, and it works with students of all ages. You can figure out the one word to solicit the reactions of your students on the fly and then devote the rest of your preparation time to the content of your classroom lecture. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Peterson, Deb. "Fun Classroom Introductions for the First Day of School." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/fun-classroom-introductions-first-day-school-31401. Peterson, Deb. (2020, August 27). Fun Classroom Introductions for the First Day of School. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/fun-classroom-introductions-first-day-school-31401 Peterson, Deb. "Fun Classroom Introductions for the First Day of School." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/fun-classroom-introductions-first-day-school-31401 (accessed March 21, 2023). copy citation Featured Video