36 Interesting Ways* to Get to Know Your New Class

1. 36 Interesting Ways* to Get to Know Your New Class *and tips This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Share Alike 3.0 License.

2. Create a coat of arms or shield design that best represents them.  Draw images or symbols that show: Favorite subjects Sports Hobbies Family Places Something they are good at Use each child's shield in a class display. #1 - Coat of Arms 

3. Create a coat of arms or shield design that best represents you.  Draw images or symbols that show: Favorite subjects Sports Hobbies Family Places Something they are good at #1 - Coat of Arms 

4. Give the children a bingo card each with different statements about each other. Such as: has a brother walks to school has two sisters does martial arts etc Give the group time to talk to each other and get a signature in each box. Full house wins a prize! #2 - New Class Bingo Was his name by jaycoxfilmAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License

5. Hand out a couple rolls of toilet paper and ask the students to take a few sheets ... whatever they think they are going to need.  Of course you tell them you can't tell them why. When everyone has some, make them share one fact about themselves for each sheet of t.p. they took.  You can do the same thing with M&M's or other candy. Bonjour606 #3 - Facts about me M&Ms by FlyNutAA Attribution License

6. Give everyone 5 post it notes and tell them to write one fact on each post it note and stick it to their bodies.  Children walk around and meet each other. Bonjour606 #4 - Post-It Power! Post-It Note Art Collage (PINAP) by Adrian WallettAttribution-NoDerivs License

7. Take 3 jellybeans & tell the following about yourself: Red - 1 fact about your childhood Blue - past job/volunteering Yellow - most embarrassing moment Brown - last vacation Green - favorite past-time Orange - what do you want to be and why? SMARTIES Game

8. Take 3 jellybeans & tell the following about yourself: Red - 1 fact about your childhood Blue - past job/volunteering Yellow - most embarrassing moment Brown - last vacation Green - favorite past-time Orange - what do you want to be and why? SMARTIES Game

9. Split the class into two groups. Hold up a large blanket or sheet and ask 2 or 3 children to line up facing the sheet on each side. Make sure each team doesn't see who has moved. When the sheet is dropped children have to name the person opposite them as quickly as they can. kristianstill #7 - Who's There?

10. Get students to stand in a circle with the teacher. Teacher begins with a statement like, "I like computers." Any students who do too stand up and say in unison "Just Like Me."  Teacher or students continue with other statements.  ccampbel14 #6 - Just Like Me 

11. Set up classroom for test. Tell pupils this is hardest test they will do all year (works well with Y6 as can compare to SATs). Tell them you'll start with an easy question... such as, 'What is my favourite colour Midget Gem?' - after a few doubtful glances around, one brave person will ask how they're supposed to know that. But keep up the pretence that this is a serious test. Ask other questions such as: What is my dog's name?   How many cm from my house to school? Which 16 countries of the world have I visited? What is my car  number plate?   What is my favourite colour? What is my favourite animal? This creates a lovely opportunity for them to find out some ‘secrets’ about you so they feel special and privileged.  The winner could get a small prize, or give a small treat to everyone as they have all done well if they get even one correct! If you have a learning platform, follow it up by asking them to post a quiz about themselves for others to answer over the holidays. MadameRosbif #8 - Hardest Test of the Year

12. Create a 'gate' from a couple of chairs or tables in the middle of your room, with the students on one side. Call out a category (eye colour, favourite food, pet etc) and students have to find someone else who matches their response. They can only pass through the gate as a pair. Once two students have come through together, they can't make a pair for any of the other categories. Dave Stacey #9 - Gatekeeper Image cc licensed from Flickr by flyman

13. It can be hard in secondary to find the time for 'getting to know you' activities - these next two are designed to work on limited time. Give each student a sheet of A4 coloured card which they fold lengthways. They then have five minutes to create a name tag with their name, and images that tell you something about their interests / hobbies / favourite topics from the previous year. Dave Stacey #10 - Name tags Image cc licensed from Flickr by hugovk

14. This sheet comes from the 'firstday' wiki which was started by Dan Meyer a couple of years ago. There are some great subject specific ideas there as well as more general ones such as this. This activity can either be done in class, or as a homework. It can also be given to new staff and displayed in the staffroom! Dave Stacey #11 - Who am I (and other ideas)

15. Each student is to write, on a card, the following: Something I have in common with everyone in the class is…. Something I have in common with several people in the class is… Something I have in common with a few people in the class is… Something I have in common with no one in the class is…. The teacher collects the cards and picks one at random. All students are standing and the first sentence is read by the teacher. Students try to guess who the writer is. The second sentence is read. If the common topic doesn’t apply to some students, those students sit down. Students guess again who they think the writer is. The third sentence is read, and again, those that don’t have the issue in common, sit down. Now with only a few left standing, the guessing continues. After the fourth sentence is read, only the writer should be left standing.This activity can continue for the rest of the week. #12 - Guess Who? @hdurnin

16. #14 - Phonemes Sit the class in a circle and have them figure out their first name's phoneme (e.g. 'Sss' for Sally, 'Sh' for Charlotte - emphasis on the sound, not the letter). Pupils then pick an adjective that with the same phoneme (e.g. 'Silly Sally' or 'Short Charlotte'). You start by saying your own (e.g. 'Moody Mr. Clarkson') and the pupil next to you repeats it and states his/her own. The 2nd pupil repeats yours, then the 1st pupil's, then their own, and so on. It's surprising how quickly pupils can manage 20 or 30 names in a row and even those who have had their turn are eager to see how well the others do. Mark Clarkson - @mwclarkson

17. #14 - Phonemes Sit the class in a circle and have them figure out their first name's phoneme (e.g. 'Sss' for Sally, 'Sh' for Charlotte - emphasis on the sound, not the letter). Pupils then pick an adjective that with the same phoneme (e.g. 'Silly Sally' or 'Short Charlotte'). You start by saying your own (e.g. 'Moody Mr. Clarkson') and the pupil next to you repeats it and states his/her own. The 2nd pupil repeats yours, then the 1st pupil's, then their own, and so on. It's surprising how quickly pupils can manage 20 or 30 names in a row and even those who have had their turn are eager to see how well the others do. Mark Clarkson - @mwclarkson

18. #15 - Register Favourites Calling out the register is part and parcel of every school day - once in the morning and a check in the afternoon.  Before taking the register, tell the class instead of saying present/here they can name their favourite---- For example  Favourite colour, past time, sport, TV show, food, subject, music, song I use it with my class and it's a great way to start the day. And don't forget you also have to join in. Kevin McLaughlin - @kvnmcl

19. #16 -Large Name Tags This idea comes from The First Six Weeks of School by P. Denton and R. Kriete. I've used it in my fifth grade class for  the last 5 years. I know several middle school teachers who use it too... On a lengthwise half of white paper students write their name in marker in the center. In each of the 4 corners of the page they draw and color these: 1. My favorite place on Earth 2. My favorite thing to do 3. Someone who taught me something 4. A time I spent 3 great days in a row Students share with a partner. If you have multiple classes, they can wear them around their necks until you know their names. msnorthrup.com @msnorthrup

20. #17 A 'Get-To-Know-You' Google Form Create a Google form that contains any questions you want to ask your new class, shorten the link using http://bit.ly and share it with them. A plus would be that they can answer this over the summer, in their own time. You might want to include an option where they can ask you some questions too. @OhLottie

21. #18 - Gimme 10! Children draw around their hands (in pairs) On one hand they write things they are good at/achievements/etc  On the other hand they write targets/wishes/dreams/how they wish their teacher to be/etc Last year I had children write things like- teacher to tell jokes, be kind, listen to me... It was a lovely display to start with and gave some ideas for circle time Anna Halford @anhalf hands by Meir Jacob | מאיר יעקבAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License

22. This is a game that I have seen used at PD events. It can be changed to match the format of the class.  You can ask questions such as: "Who has 1 or more sisters" the students who do would say "That's me!" and can stand up. "Who has 1 or more dogs as pets" again, the student would stand up and shout "That's me!" Questions can be adjusted for information that you would want to gather about the student to make it fun and exciting.

23. #19 - Hello Hands Children to draw around their hand, or friend helps. Or have predrawn ones if hands too little or poor motor skills.  Then they draw or write facts about themselves on the fingers with a picture of themselves in the middle.  Then you have 'hello hands' for them all and an instant new class display.  @lilythefairy dirty work by baboon™Attribution-NonCommercial License

24. #21 Google Map Me!  Create a New Map via Google Maps and have students add to it showing where they come from! Great if you have many students from various countries and cultures!  You can then even open it up to other classes and cohorts!  @CorrieB

25. #22 - Future Me - News report!  BRAINSTORM: · What are you successful at? · What steps did you take to be successful? · How did you reach your goals? · What have you achieved in your life? · Where do you live? · How old are you now in your successful life? · What is the date? · What have been the personal rewards of your success? E.g. Awards, lifestyle that you live, career, fame, fortune, success? · Who could the newspaper interview to find out what you are like and what would they say e.g. Teachers, Employers, Employees, other successful people in your field. Include quotes from these people about you, your personal characteristics and your success. I modify the template here to reflect our local Newspaper and its header . Great to share with Peers and Parents in Blogs or Edmodo. http://bit.ly/bXPQOY@carlaleeb Ask students to imagine this............. You have left school and are now following your dreams! You have become very successful. The local paper has interviewed you about your activities and success. 

26. #23 - Take my wallet! This is a great little game to get past the inevitable 'what's your first name' type intrigue. I was first shown it during my PGCE and have used it with every new class since! Get the children to sit in a circle and then hand your wallet/purse to the child next to you. The children take one item from the wallet and then pass it on until all have something from the wallet (or 1 between 2 depending on class size). They then have to examine the item carefully and tell the class one thing that they now know about you that they didn't before. Include some slightly obtuse receipts so that the children have to really think.  It's up to you how much you pre-rig the wallet depending on the age/general behavior of the class - I've used this with Primary and Secondary School children and never had anything go missing yet!  I also find this great as an opener to demonstrate trust at the first meeting with your new class.  Chris Wright @TeachWrightUK 

27. #24 - Odd one Out Children have 4 pictures on their table about the teacher and they have to pick which one they think is the odd one out and why they think that. I have a different set for each table.For example: I have a picture of a carrot, sweetcorn, broccoli and potato - Children come up with various ideas of which one is odd one out and why they think it. Correct answer is sweetcorn, as it's the one I don't like. Also have cities I've lived in, sports I've played, pets.Gives children a good chance to work together, discuss ideas and to get to know the teacher a little. Liam Murphy (@thisisliamm)

28. #25 - Five picture stories Have each student in the class select five photos that tell a little bit about their life. Photos may be uploaded to Voicethread or a similar site for each student to then add some basic narration.  Be sure to model and participate in this process alongside your students. I did this with students in my sophomore advisory (15-16 year olds) and it really worked well in helping us all to get to know one another better.  Click here to see my five picture story that I shared with my  students Matt Montagne (@mjmontagne)

29. #26- Timeline and Rights Get to know your students background and aspirations quickly by designing their "timeline". Also, set out their rights and responsibilties as a student in their new school. Students can present back and discuss their creations. Gavin McIntyre, (@gmcict)

30. #27 - Birthday line Tell class they have to put themselves in a straight line based on their birthday,  January 1st – December 31st. Students should be arranged by month AND by date within each month. The catch is that they have to do this without speaking. When class have decided they are in the correct order, check by asking each student what their birthday is. Great for team work and getting to know new classmates as students see whose birthdays are near their own etc. A variation could be to arrange the line based on age, as some students will be born in different years (e.g1991/1992) the line might start at any month. Teacher joins in so he/she will always be at the end of the line!  Noeleen Leahy (@noeleenleahy)

31. #28 - Class Autobiography Put class into groups, they spend 10 mins getting learn something about each other.  Each group comes to top of the class and introduces each other.  Take a fun photo, add their ‘interesting facts’ to a presentation. No individual is identified if sharing on school website. This is one we shared on our Transition Year blog last year. http://stwolstansty.blogspot.com/2010/10/get-to-know-class-emnet.html Noeleen Leahy (@noeleenleahy)

32. #29 - Name Tags (2) • Give each student an index card and tell them they have 5-10 minutes to create a name tag for themselves with their preferred name in bold & their full name underneath in regular script (family name first).  • They should also draw images or symbols that tell you something about who they are: family & culture/ history & experience/ hobbies & interests / hopes & dreams (possibly one in each corner) • Use these cards to randomly call on students during group discussions throughout the year ensuring all students have an opportunity to contribute their ideas & also ensuring that you remain mindful of their individual identities as the year progresses Amy Burchett

33. #30 - Poetic License Plates I have the students make “Poetic License Plates”. Each receives a piece of card stock paper and cuts out the dimensions of a regular license plate.  They write their first name in large, colorful letters in the middle, use the state of their birth, their birthday, and symbols of their favorite things to do (soccer balls, footballs, music, etc.).  Then, I display them around the room. I give them a few days to create their masterpiece. Some turn out to be very ornate with glitter and ribbons and/or any other supplies that I have in the classroom or that they have at home. It’s a fun project and the kids enjoy looking at all of the plates. Christine Hutcher

34. #31 - Class Puzzle Before class, take a poster board or foam board and cut into jigsaw puzzle type pieces, one for each student (+ you, if you'd like.) Put an "x" on the back side, so students don't mark on the wrong side. That's key, or it won't work.Each student gets one piece, (as do you, if you choose.) Tell them, "On the side without the x, write your name and decorate it any way you wish." They can color with markers, stickers, glitter, whatever you want. When each has completed his puzzle piece, the students should assemble the puzzle on the floor. This works as a cooperative learning activity with plenty of time for talking, etc.  Once assembled, give them masking tape to tape it together on the back. Once finished, hold it up and comment on specific pieces, asking each student to tell about his design. Tell them this is the class' quilt, and everyone has an important part in it. "Look at the pretty colors and interesting designs, all different, just as we are, and yet they all fit together, just like our class does." If someone's absent, great, because there's a hole where their piece should be. Point that out. "Look what happens when someone's not here. We aren't complete."  Anyone absent should complete his piece at home so you can add it the next day, of course. (If no one's absent, ask what would happen if a piece was missing, and when they state the obvious, point out the same thing.) When finished, hang it on the wall, explaining "it will be there all year because this is our class and everyone has an important part in it." Lisa Martineau

35. #32 - Today I want to remember to... I read this story out "In villages in India, elephants are sometimes taken in religious processions through the streets to the temple. The streets are crooked and narrow, lined on either side with fruit and vegetable stalls. Along comes the elephant with his restless trunk, and in one sinuous motion, it grabs a whole bunch of bananas. He opens his cavernous mouth and tosses the bananas in - stalk and all. From the next stall he picks up a coconut and tosses it in after the bananas.No threats or promises can make this restless trunk settle down. But the wise mahout will give it a short bamboo stick to hold. Then the elephant will walk along proudly holding his bamboo stick in front like a drum major with a baton. He doesn't steal bananas and coconuts now, because his trunk has something to hold onto. The mind is the same way. We keep it from straying into all kinds of situations if you just give it something to hold onto.Then get students to write their own poster of some things they want to remember - intentions for each day with the idea that their intentions will become "the bamboo stick that their mind will focus on for the rest of the day." They can write things like 'remember to say thank you/be kind/put my hand up etc..If you have 5 minutes at the start of the day one student each day can read theirs out to the class in form time = first month sorted! @michellecairns 

36. #33 - Students create their End of           Year Report Card. Idea from @victoriaellis • Students in your form create for all subjects what they hope to achieve in each subject. • Include what level they achieved last year and what they hope to achieve. See if you have students with lack of self belief or the opposite highly confident ones.  • Students include their strengths but it should include areas they feel they are weak. • core skills that they want to develop that will help them as who school learners.  • This gives you a great insight very early of your form academically and can allow you to see certain teachers to make plans to work on the weaknesses and build on the strengths. • Great to review and evaluate at the end of year with reports.