We play a game called Kitty Want a Corner? that helps learn names and gets the kids up and moving around. Set up the kids in a circle of chairs with 1 kid (kid A) standing in the center of the circle. Kid A goes to another student (kid B) and says "Kitty want a corner? (meaning the chair). Kid B can say "yes" and give up the chair or say "No. Go ask ____________" and they use another student's name (or, since we haven't learned them yet, describe what the person is wearing (and they give their name). While this is happening the other kids can make eye contact with someone else in the circle and silently agree to switch chairs. The goal for the person in the center is to get one of the chairs before the switch is complete. It's a little slow to start as the kids aren't really comfortable with each other yet, but by day 2 they're running and actually learning each other's names (and so am I ;^) which is a benefit). It also helps kids learn about their personalities. Are they someone who sits safely in their seat and watches the action, do they only run when they are confident they will get a chair, do they go when they are sure it's a long shot but they're willing to take the risk or are they the mischievous one who tries to trick people?
I also have ground rules:
You may not pull a chair our from someone
1 person per chair
If your rump leaves the seat you cannot sit in that chair without switching first.
You must move at least 3 chairs away.
If there is an open chair next to you you can "steal" it from the person running for it
You can "fake someone out" by agreeing to switch, watching them get up, and sit back to watch them now try to find a chair.
I've found that this works well regardless of class size. Of course, I also tell my kids I'm going to try to get them to feel silly in the first week, as a group, so the don't have to worry about it for the rest of the semester. It gives a sense of comfort and safety to the environment and opens most of them up to try new and different things without worrying about how other people are thinking of you.
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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
Original Message:
Sent: 08-11-2016 09:30
From: Kathleen Herb-Baker
Subject: Favorite first day exercises?
Hello! As some of us actually start school Monday, :-( I'd love to hear people's first day icebreaker exercises, especially those that work with a smaller class. Thank you!