Welcome seventh graders! Interacting with new classmates or revisiting old friends can sometimes feel intimidating. Icebreaker games are like alphabet soup for such scenarios - helping everyone start afresh with exciting, fun, and interconnected conversations. Here are some engaging icebreaker games perfect for your grade level. Let's dive in!
Icebreaker games serve multiple purposes. They encourage active participation, foster a welcoming environment, and subtly help individuals assess and understand their peers' interests and personalities. So, let's explore the best icebreakers for grade 7 students.
Getting to Know Each Other
This is the foundational category of icebreaker games, focusing on burying the hatchet - or in this case, erasing the whiteboard - and focusing on getting to know one another.
Kickstart this with "Two Truths and a Lie." It's a simple yet effective game where participants share two true statements about themselves and one false one. The class then discusses and guesses which statement is the lie. This game not only helps classmates learn about each other but also fosters a sense of good-natured competition.
Name, Hobby, & Expectations
As the name suggests, this activity requires students to share their name, a brief description of their hobby, and what they hope to accomplish or learn in the new academic year. It's an excellent way to create a map of each student's interests and future aspirations.
To fulfill the 'hobby' part, students can share anything from swimming to coding, or even collecting unique rocks. Encourage students to describe why this hobby brings them joy and what they've learned from it. It's an enlightening experience for everyone involved.
Commonalities Chain
This icebreaker encourages students to find shared interests. Begin by asking each student to write down their names and a common interest (like sci-fi movies, playing a musical instrument, or cooking) on a shared document or whiteboard.
Then, challenge students to find at least five other peers who share the same interest. This activity underscores that everyone has something in common with their classmates, fostering a sense of camaraderie. Moreover, it sparks impromptu conversations about these shared interests once the game concludes.
Cooperative Conversations
These icebreakers promote teamwork and literacy skills by encouraging group discussions and ัะธััะตะผะต-building activities.
With "Me on a Leaf," each student writes their name on a leaf of paper and writes a few sentences describing their favorite childhood memory, a dream vacation spot, or what they're most passionate about. Students then discuss these 'leaves' in small groups or pairs, fostering deeper conversations than typical get-to-know-you games.
Alphabet Introduction
This activity requires each student to introduce themselves based on a letter from the alphabet. For example, the first student could be 'A' for awesome athlete, while the second might be 'B' for bookworm. This game is an excellent way to learn about each other's unique qualities while reinforcing alphabetical order.
A fun variation involves kids using an object that starts with their letter. For instance, a student could bring an 'apple' for 'A.' This version makes the game more interactive and visually appealing, as students can pass around and examine the objects.
Storyline Showdown
Divide students into small groups. The first student in the group starts a story with a single sentence. The next student adds another sentence, and so on. After each student contributes, the group must vote on whether the story goes on or if it's time for a new one.
This game encourages creative thinking, active listening, and collaboration. Additionally, it's an excellent way to practice narrative structures and plot development while having fun.
mentioned, icebreaker games are essential for fostering a sense of community and belonging in the classroom. So go ahead, try out these games, and watch as your seventh-grade students blossom into a connected and cohesive group. Happy gaming and learning!