If you’ve ever gathered with a new group of people, chances are you’ve taken part in ice breakers.
Ice breakers are games, challenges, or activities that are meant to relieve inhibitions or tension between people.
Ice breakers can be an engaging way for you and your students to learn about each other. It can be gratifying to talk about ourselves, and since ice breakers are typically questions where you share things about yourself, they are fabulous for extroverts!
For introverts, sharing details about yourself with strangers can be a bit of a nightmare.
I was one of those shy students who cracked under pressure. When the class took turns reading aloud, I can recall counting the people ahead of me so I could find which lines I would be reading, and practice until my turn. I still stuttered and stumbled my way through, heart racing, and I loved to read! Being put on the spot turned something I loved (reading time) into something I worried about.
As the parent of a neurodivergent child, I am even more aware of the ways small adjustments can have a huge impact on a child’s development.
With this in mind, I’ve prepared for you three ice breaker challenges to use with your class that are safe for even the shyest of students! These are perfect to use during the first day or week back after the summer or any extended leave.
3 Ice Breakers for Introverts
- Favorites Dice Game
My dice game is easy to prep and super engaging! What kid doesn’t love to throw stuff? Students simply roll the die and share their favorite XYZ – each side has a different topic. Also included is a list of ideas for each topic so students don’t have to fumble over an answer.
2. Super Powers
Brainstorm super powers with your students and write them on the lower part of your whiteboard, or on an anchor chart.
Give each student a sticky note with their name written on it and ask them to come up in pairs to place their sticky note near the super power they would love most.
Your students will be have so much fun transforming themselves into an alter ego!
3. Self Image
There are a few different ways you could do this:
- Provide a collection of small trinkets, or images of animals, or food etc. Ask the class to take turns choosing 1 item that best reflects themselves.
- Create an abstract self-portrait by gluing random small objects like sequins, feathers, stickers, noodles, cereal, string, washers, and leaves (and anything else light you can think of!) onto a head & shoulders outline on paper!
- Use dress-up clothes! Do you have a surplus of old Halloween costumes and quirky clothing? If not, hit consignment shops and load up a trunk in class.
Afterwards students can take turns choosing and sharing their reasons for doing so, but strictly on a volunteer basis. Allowing kids to skip the oral presentation portion will help them to assert their boundaries, and encourage good relationship building.
Now that students have shared a little about themselves, it would be a great time to transition into opinion writing!
If you’re a bit lost when it comes to teaching writing, no worries. I’ve got oodles of no-prep differentiated writing resources available to get you started, like this “My Favorites” booklet, and these color-coded reading passages, featured below!
