Icebreakers for Back to School

It’s back to school time! I am so excited to start the school year with digital resources that save paper and engage students. Traditional icebreakers like student inventory sheets or “stand-up if you. . .” activities can get old and tired. When students start switching classes or have multiple teachers, the same ice breakers come up again and again. Try some of these non-traditional icebreakers for back to school.

Take a selfie!

Have your students use their devices to take a selfie. After snapping a quick portrait, they can upload their picture to PicCollage or Google Slides. Around the image, they can write adjectives to describe themselves. This is a great way to review adjectives and get to know your kids. Post the pictures around the room or make a digital slideshow!

Digital “Find Somebody Who”

Try a digital version of the traditional bingo style boards where students sign squares such as “likes to play sports” or “likes to go camping”. Upload this digital resource to Google Slides or SeeSaw and have your students type their names in the squares. It’s so easy, and it saves paper! Enjoy this digital icebreaker for the first days of school.

Guess Who!

Have your students share three facts about themselves with the class on Google Slides, SeeSaw, or Flipgrid. Allow your students to look at the slides and videos in teams and then fill out a matching quiz with all the students names and a unique fact about each. Let your students know that it’s not a grade, and they may work together. It’s just a way to get to know each other better!

Snowball Fight

Bring a little chill into the fall! This one takes a break from the digital and uses some paper for a lot of movement and fun. Have your students write down a question on a piece of paper. After writing, they should ball it up into a “snowball”. When you give the signal, they will throw the paper snowballs. Each student will pick one up and answer the question on the paper. The students will throw again and keep up the ice breaker game until the paper is filled or your time is up!

Back to School Scoot

I love icebreakers that get students moving! A back to school scoot is a way for students to get to know each other without sitting in a desk all morning. Students “scoot” around the room with a clipboard. They pick a card, solve the task, and then record their answers. Some of the tasks involve answering questions about likes and dislikes. Others involve finding students in the class with certain interests. This is a great spin (and scoot) on a getting-to-know you icebreaker!

Read Alouds

This may not be a traditional back to school icebreaker, but I always like to start the year with a book. I often choose something that will set the tone for the school year. Using back to school read alouds related to transitioning into a new school year and grade level can help relax students with school anxiety. I love starting each school year with a story.

Back to school means you are going to have more names to learn and more unique personalities to enjoy. Help your students get to know each other while you discover their talents and strengths with these non-traditional icebreakers for back to school.