Ahh, back to school time. Now begins the search for icebreakers or get to know you games. Icebreakers serve more than one purpose. They allow you to get to know your students and a chance to build your classroom community.
Over the years (I can almost say a decade) of teaching in the middle, I’ve picked up on a few differences between middle schoolers and elementary kiddos regarding icebreakers. You might want to keep these in mind before you begin your school year.
1. Middle Schoolers Do Not Enjoy the Spotlight
Teens and tweens just want to blend in. The worse thing in the world is standing out. This could be for something good or bad. Obviously, there will always be a few exceptions to the rule, but middle schoolers seek to just be like everyone else.
So how does that factor into icebreakers and the beginning of the year activities? Well, don’t make students stand up and speak alone. Just don’t. Think about it; grown adults don’t like doing this. I can vividly picture having to introduce myself to peers and rehearsing the entire spiel; My name is Alisha Riley, I teach 6th grade English and social studies; this is my 8th year teaching. I didn’t even listen to what everyone else was saying because I was too busy in my head rehearsing what I was going to say.
If you ask your middles to speak independently on the first day, chances are they will be doing the exact same thing; panicking and rehearsing their lines. I’m not saying that your students will never speak a loud independently, but it doesn’t need to be on day one. A lot is happening; let’s give them some space. I promise they can rock out public speaking later; let’s develop some trust and a safe place first.
2. Icebreakers Can Be Done In Groups
So you might be thinking to yourself, okay, well how do I get them to know one another then? My answer: small groups. I seriously consider middle schoolers to have a herd mentality. It is amazing what they can learn, share, and discover while they are in a group.
When planning out your icebreakers, think to yourself, is this something that can be done in a group? Even if it is supposed to be an independent activity, can they work together? I know you probably haven’t had time to explain to them your procedures for group work yet, but that’s okay. This is a time for students to get to know one another, the proper procedures will come.
While students are working, take time to observe. Who is standing out to you as a natural leader? What about the ones who seem content to take a back seat to the action? Is everyone sharing, or do you have some who are clearly trying to avoid it? My policy normally is that everyone shares, but I make exceptions to that on the first couple of days. I let those timid friends get comfortable first.
3. They May Play Too Cool For School
This goes back to my belief that middle schoolers have some serious group mentality! They are terrified to act excited about an activity; the too cool for school attitude runs deep.
When it comes to icebreakers, please don’t get discouraged. Middle schoolers don’t get excited about much, but I promise they enjoy activities more than they are letting on. They are still trying to find that fine line of wanting to have fun and be taken seriously. So give them space to find themselves, enjoy activities without the pressure to jump up and down.
4. They Have Seen All The Cutsie Icebreakers Before
By the time they reach middle school, they have done almost all of the icebreakers you can imagine. They also are more than likely going to multiple different classes and doing the same icebreakers in those classes. If you are the 7th-period teacher, your poor kids have filled out the same ALL ABOUT ME flower and played the Get to Know BIngo, and honestly, now you understand their too cool for school attitude. They are over the cutsie icebreakers. Instead, try icebreakers that challenge them, make them think outside of the box, and allow them to express themselves. I’ve created a set of icebreakers specifically for middle schoolers if you are looking for something unique.
5. They Are Still Kids
I know I just spent the whole time explaining to you how different middle schoolers are. But with all that to be said, I need you to know; they are still kids. I love teaching middle schoolers and getting to know my kids. Icebreakers are an amazing way to get started knowing your students as individuals and for you to share about yourself. If you are new to the middle, it can be a learning curve, but they are very relationships based. So use icebreakers to get that relationship started.
That wraps up this week’s back-to-school series. You can check out week one Procedures and Expectations.
Don’t forget, I’m rooting for you friend!
-Alisha-Mrs.A.Riley-
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