Connecting With Students Build Community With Inclusive Icebreakers

Icebreakers that are NOT Inclusive

Too personal
Create stress and anxiety (Having to think too quickly, fear of being put on the spot, performance anxiety, forced into group)
Can feel alienating

Icebreakers that are Inclusive

Keep all students in mind
Participation is optional
Allow students to respond in multiple ways (writing down, typing in the chat, verbally)
Give students ample time to process the task and respond
Personal responses are kept private

How to Help all Students Feel Comfortable & Ready to Learn

Check each activity name to expand and learn more.

What's on Your Plate?

Students are given a paper plate (this can also be done virtually using a tool such as Google Jamboard)
They are given the opportunity to write down various responsibilities and stressors. They have the option to keep it related to school, or to include personal responsibilities (family, work, etc.) as well.
Extension Activity: Allow time to share and discuss in small groups, or as a whole class.

Class Map

This idea come from Chelsea Cohen, faculty at Laney College. She uses Google Maps to foster interactions early in her course by having students drop a pin on where they are from and share a bit about their home.

Feelings Check

These are a great way to check in with your students at the start of class. There are a variety of images available by searching online, or you can create your own.

Growth-Focused Questions

Dr. Robert Talbert shares two questions that he has students reflect on and answer:

What is something that you are good at doing?
How did you get good at the thing you are good at doing?

This activity can be done individually only, or shared in small groups or with the whole class. He also suggest taking answers and putting them in a Word Cloud to create a visual representation. Link to Dr. Talbert's website to learn more about this activity.