Hi friends,
Today in second grade we are going to play some fun "Get to Know You" games. The first week of school is always a little hard and we want our students to feel comfortable and have some fun!
I have found that traditional "Get to Know You" games can be a little repetitive and boring, because many students already know each other from previous years.
I have compiled a list of 5 games that I like to play with my students during the first few days of school. I did not make up these games, but thought I'd share some of the more successful ones with you here :)
Two Truths and a Lie
This is such a fun game to play with anyone of any age. It's a great way to get to know new people, but also a fun game to play with those you already know, because you find out new things about each other.
The premise is easy, a person shares two true facts about themselves and one lie. Others must try to guess which statement is false. This can be done in pairs, small groups, or even as a whole class. I also allow students to ask questions about the statements to try and catch the person in their lie!
It's so much fun and usually a great laugh. It's also great because sometimes the most unbelievable statement ends up being true!
Never Have I Ever...
Once again, this is a fun game that can be played anywhere, anytime, and with any age group. It's a great way to learn interesting facts about others that you might not know and/or think to ask!
I like to give each student five blocks (you can use anything even fingers on a their hands). Students take turns saying "Never Have I Ever..." and share something that they have NEVER done.
For example: "Never have I ever eaten sushi."
Those students who HAVE eaten sushi before must get rid of one block.
The goal is to try and stay in the game as long as possible by keeping your blocks.
Five Word Biographies
This game is geared toward older students and adults. You can try to play with the little ones but it may prove to be a little bit harder for them to do.
Students are asked to write about themselves/their lives in five words.
For example: student, athlete, friend, trophy winner, helper
The other students can then ask questions about all or some of the words that describe the student.
If we use the above example, the student might share that he/she won a gymnastics competition and got a big trophy that he/she is proud of (trophy winner). They might also share of a time when they helped a neighbour find their cat when it was lost (helper).
You can change the number of words to whatever you like but I have found that five is a good number. Once again, this is such an interesting way for students to think about themselves AND learn more about each other.
Octopus Tag
The last two games are not really "Get to Know You Games" but rather fun ways to interact and connect in the first few days of school. They are a great way to form connections and NEW friendships.
Octopus tag is so much fun but requires a lot of space, so playing outside is best.
It is a variation on the regular game of Tag and is really quite funny. You start off with a pair of students who hold hands and are "it." They must continue to hold hands and try to tap other students. When they successfully tap another student, that child must join the "it" team and hold hands with them.
As the group of students who are "it" gets bigger, the game gets more funny and exciting. Students can only successfully be tapped if the "it" team taps them without breaking off hands with each other.
Fruit Basket
Once again this is a game that is meant to be fun and bring students together through play and laughter.
Split the class into three groups, each one using a different fruit name. Students sit on chairs. One person is "out" and calls out the name of a fruit. All students who are part of that fruit group must get up and switch chairs. The person who is "out" must also try to sit in a chair, thus getting another student "out." Students can also call out "FRUIT SALAD," whereby EVERYONE has to switch chairs.
I hope you like these games and try some with your students.
I'd love to know... What are some games you like to play with your class?
Until next time...
If you haven't joined my email list yet, you can do so down below!
It's a great way to get freebies, tips, and ideas sent directly to your inbox.
No comments