#2 Ice Breakers

I am going to start with #2 on my list from my previous blog: "Take a Number."  But first I would like to note that since I have started preparing, I haven't had any other anxiety dreams about teaching, as in my first blog, lengthy introduction.  In fact I had a dream that I owned a red Lamborghini like this... (I also just realized that I can use hyperlinks)

Anyways, on with my story. 

#2.  Decide on 1 or 2 simple ice breakers to use regularly to introduce new students
I think it is of paramount importance that my students feel welcome, at home, comfortable, etc. in my classroom.  If they don't get that feeling of family, of belonging, then they will not buy into the program and thus give up their second chance.  This is an area where I think I shined last year... but I could still do better.  I want there to be cohesiveness, but I would like it to be more structured than last year.  The more cohesive the class, the more likely students were to attend and be successful.  In classes where everyone was comfortable, they knew each other and they worked together, students would notice when their classmates were absent and complain or rat them out for why they were missing, for example:     

"Hey Miguel is missing class today, where the F*** is he?? (I frown)  Sorry Ms.H, where the heck is he??  I'm gonna finish this unit without him and he's gonna be pissed and I'm not helping him neither.  I'm taking that test and finishing on time."

"Cindy is supposed to be here.  She went out last night and I told her, I knew she wouldn't make it to class, that's why I didn't go.  She's falling behind, its bad.  I'm gonna call her tell her to get her butt in here.  If I'm here, she's gotta suffer this chemistry stuff too.  I'm sorry Ms. H... we love your class but chemistry's out there."
(I changed the names to random ones) 


Okay, so in the classes where I made a point of introducing new students and going around the room to say something interesting, the class bonded quicker.  All the students would immediately be interested in the new student, where did they come from, why are they here, what are they like, what is their "story".  Every kid at my school has a story.

However, I didn't really have a system for this, so sometimes I let it slide.  It was bad if I didn't incorporate new kids right away because the others tended to outcast them until further notice.  Eventually they would either blend in or sort-of go their own way.  Going their own way usually meant getting less done in my class, less participation, and less interest in the subject overall.  It didn't happen often, as I mentioned this was a strength for me, but I don't want it to happen at all. 

Instead of having a haphazard system, I want an interesting ice breaker that is quick and easy.  A routine that I can use every time there is a new student. 

I am thinking about using "two truths and a lie."  Each student says their name, then says two true things and one lie.  The rest of the class guesses which is the lie. 

The other ice breaker I am thinking about using is "Finish the sentence."  This one changes a little each time, and makes it pretty ideal since we will have so many introductions.  Basically, I would just start a sentence and one at a time, each student finishes it with their own answer. 

I found several examples on-line:
I am in this class because....  My worst subject is...  My best subject is... People would say that I'm... I don't understand... Life is full of... I wish... Tomorrow... If I had a million dollars... I have little patience... I'm totally terrified... I get annoyed when... My past is... One day I woke up and realized...  If I could live forever... My favorite...  When I was 5... My hair is... When I look up... When I look in the mirror... Take my advice... My ideal breakfast is... If you visit my hometown... The most recent thing I've bought myself... A better name for me would be... In the last six months... In the future... If I go to college... When I graduate from high school... I am... I bet you didn't know... I read... Every birthday... I regret... My friends are... One time at a family gathering... The last time I really cried... My car... My best friend... I have never... Parents... Siblings... I once dreamt that... When it rains I... I like to play... When I get a haircut... Once I met... I will never forget... If only I had... You know I'm lying when...  If I won an award the first person I would thank... If I do anything well, its probably...

Both are simple and will get the job done.  I need to filter out which "finish the sentence" prompts I will actually use, but I am definitely excited about having so many options.  Well I am happy to have #2 checked off my list!!