Responsive+Classroom+Resources

Find 5-10 really interesting pictures or posters about 8"x10" in size. Laminate the pictures and then cut them into 4 equal pieces. Depending on how many students you have in your class, pick out the number of pictures that you need to equally distribute each piece to all students. For example, if you have 20 students, you will need 5 pictures which will yield 20 pieces. Shuffle the pieces and then randomly hand each student a piece. Ask the students to find the other pieces to complete the puzzle. It's a great ice breaker ; it gets students to interact!
 * Teaching Tip: Breaking the Ice **



First Day of School: Instead of buying nametags, cut oaktag pieces and have students write first and last names in cursive. Next have them draw and color a picture to answer the following questions: 1. What is your favorite book? 2. What is your favorite food? 3. What is your favorite place to visit? 4. What subject to you excel in? 5. What is your favorite sport? Next have students find someone that they haven't been in a class with recently and tell each other about themselves. Give them five minutes to discuss the pictures. Once done, come to the circle to introduce their partner to the class. This works great because it is much easier to introduce someone else than themselves.