Getting to Know You!

I think that it is vital to create a safe space in your classroom at the start of your class.  As an educator, it is your responsibility to help students to feel comfortable and "break the ice" amongst your students.  One way to do this is to have a "Getting to Know You" game on the first day or at least in the first week of class.  Below are two ideas that I really enjoy!

Beach Ball Bash

You will need:  A beach ball, fine tip sharpies, and a bunch of random questions ready to be recorded!

Take the beach ball and blow it up to full size.  Use the fine tip sharpies to write random questions (some practical and some “off the wall” questions) all over the ball until it is completely covered.  Have students throw the beach ball to each other, not moving their hands after the ball is caught.  The student who threw the ball names any finger on the left of right hand and the student who caught the ball must say their name and answer the question under (or closest to) that finger.  Then, the student who answered the question throws the ball to any other student and repeats the process.  Encourage students to pass the ball to another student who has not yet received the ball.

Possible Questions:

If you were a superhero, what super power would you most want to have?

If you were a breakfast cereal, what would you be and why?

What are your top three favorite movies?

What is your favorite thing to do with your down-time?

If you could meet any person to ever live on the earth, who would they be?

If you could be a member of a tv sitcom family, which would it be?

What is your favorite musical/play?

Where would your dream vacation be?

What is the last song you played on your Ipod/the radio?

What is the best Halloween costume you have ever worn?

If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?

If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why?

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Describe yourself in three words.

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment.

Do you dream in black and white or color?

Never Have I Ever

Have students sit on their chairs in a giant circle.  Leave enough room for some running around inside the circle.  The teacher can either begin the game or choose a student to begin.  Have the person starting the game stand in the middle of the circle, with no extra chair for them to sit in.  The person in the middle will then start by saying, “Never Have I Ever…” and list something that they have never done (make sure to let students know it needs to be appropriate).  Everyone who HAS done what the person in the middle has not done must get up and find a new seat as quickly as possible. The person in the middle will also try to take someone’s seat.  One person will be left in without a seat, and that person will now say what they have never done.  You can also have students say their names before they list whatever they have not done.

Examples:

“Never have I ever gone snowboarding.”

“Never have I ever been out of the country.”

“Never have I ever had a cavity.”

“Never have I ever worn high heels.”

“Never have I ever played football.” 

Both of these games connect to theater because they allow students to opportunity to start building trust and feeling comfortable.  This is the most important thing in a new theater class because without trust students will not be willing to perform and take risks in front of their peers.  

Both of these games connect to English because they help students begin to think outside of the box and open their minds, preparing them for creative writing and critical thinking.  

Have any great "Getting to Know You" ideas?  Please post them in comments! :)