Last week I started working with a middle school student on summer reading and writing assignments.
I love meeting new students and getting to know them. One of the first things we did was an icebreaker called Three Things About Me. The student began by writing something important about them on a sheet of paper (i.e. I love cooking). Then it was my turn. We went back and forth until we each had three important facts about ourselves written down so we could get to know each other. Another game we played was Best/Worst Day Ever. Finally, My Favorite Things was a big hit, devoted to three prized possessions that give pleasure.
Icebreakers are creative, revelatory, and most importantly, show students that summer learning — indeed all learning -- can be fun and doesn’t have to feel like “school.”
Unless, of course, they like school, and that’s okay, too.