Strategies and Techniques
Marie E. Foley
ICE BREAKERS These activities help
students bond early in the semesters and are therefore especially useful
for small classes. They come from Maria Montaño's
1. Birthdays Description of Activity
Have students line up according to their birthdays (not the year of
birth but the month and day). Students have to organize themselves by talking
to each other. They end up standing near students with whom they have something
in common. At the very least, they will remember each other's birthdays,
and more likely they will from then on feel comfortable talking to those
with birthday months in common. Materials needed:
none Classtime involved: 15
minutes 2. Addresses
Description of Activity Have students line up according
to the distance of their home from campus. Again, students must interact
among themselves in order to organize the line, and they discover who lives
near them. Occasionally students form carpools or offer each other rides
from this simple activity. Materials needed: none
Classtime involved: 15 minutes