Getting to Know the Class

Author: Karen S. Greenhalgh

Level/Subject: First through Sixth (General)

Overview:

Introducing students to the teacher and each other. When students enter their classroom for the first time , the need to know classmate's names and something about each other is very important.

Purpose:

To help children quickly get to know one another and set up an atmosphere for learning.

Objectives:

• Students will be able to call each other by name and mention something important about that person.
• Students will develop a sense of bonding and classroom trust earlier than might otherwise be felt.
• Students will be able to find a partner with similar interests for other activities throughout the remainder of the first day.

Resources/ Materials:

None (Space for circle/class list optional)

Activities and Procedures:

Students sit in a circle. One child starts by telling his/her name and something that they are interested in outside of school. (Children should be encouraged to speak loudly enough for everyone in the circle to hear them.) The student sitting next to the first child to speak now says the name and interest of the first person who has spoken and then says his/her name and interest. The third child must repeat the names and the interests of the first two children and then his/her own. And so it goes until all the children have had a turn. The students at the end of the circle will have a more challenging time due to the many names and interests, but it is perfectly all right to help any student who may need it. After all the children have said their names and interests, the teacher then will try to name and tell the interests of all the children in the circle.

After completing the above activity, the teacher should ask the children to choose a partner. The partners will get together and talk about their summer activities. Where did they go? What did they do that was fun? What people did they see? What did they do that was hard? etc. After five minutes have the children come back to the circle with their partner. Each child will tell at least one interesting thing about their partner's summer for the rest of the group to hear. The children should be cautioned to share with the entire group only those things which their partner had agreed is okay.

These short activities will hopefully encourage lots of class interaction and set the stage for learning activities to follow for the remainder of that very important FIRST DAY. The teacher will also profit from knowing much about his/her students so early in the year.

Tying it all Together:

Class book could be made with drawings (possible self-portraits) and anecdotes about the students. This book could easily be updated throughout the year.