FIVE THINGS IN COMMON

(TOPIC: INTRODUCTIONS / ICEBREAKERS)

Instructions

GROUP WORK AND GROUP DISCUSSION CAN HELP STUDENTS FEEL CONNECTED IN THE CLASSROOM. BEING PART OF A GROUP DISCUSSION CAN PROMOTE CREATIVITY AND CONCENTRATION.

ASK STUDENTS TO GET INTO GROUPS OF FIVE
TELL STUDENTS THAT THEIR TASK WILL BE TO WORK IN THEIR GROUPS AND FIND FIVE THINGS THAT EVERYONE IN THEIR GROUP HAS IN COMMON THAT ARE NOT TO DO WITH SCHOOL. MAKE THE RULE THAT BODY PARTS (WE ALL HAVE ARMS ETC.) AND CLOTHING (WE ALL WEAR PANTS ETC.) DO NOT COUNT.
ASK STUDENTS TO NOMINATE ONE PERSON IN THEIR GROUP TO WRITE DOWN THINGS EVERYONE HAD IN COMMON.
WHEN ALL GROUPS HAVE FINISHED WRITING THEIR LIST OF FIVE THINGS ASK A VOLUNTEER FROM EACH GROUP TO READ OUT THEIR LIST. SEE IF ANYTHING OVERLAPS ACROSS ALL GROUP LISTS. THERE MIGHT BE ONE THING ALL STUDENTS HAVE IN COMMON!

DEBRIEF: WHILE WE ARE ALL VERY DIFFERENT, IF WE TRY HARD ENOUGH WE COULD PROBABLY CONNECT WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE ON ONE THING (OR MORE). MAYBE SOME STUDENTS ARE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE TO CONNECT WITH EVERYONE IN THE CLASS THIS TERM IN A POSITIVE WAY.

ACTIVITIES FOR PASTORAL CARE & WELLBEING CLASSES

All activities have been adapted by Unleashing Personal Potential from www.improvencyclopedia.org, www.reachout.com, www.playmeo.com, www.tom.edu.au, and through years of practice in education. Thanks to the many educators who have contributed to this list of tried and tested activities.

For more activities like this (and much more), check out THRIVE Online Lesson Modules for Pastoral Care and Wellbeing.

FIVE THINGS IN COMMON

(TOPIC: INTRODUCTIONS / ICEBREAKERS)

Instructions

GROUP WORK AND GROUP DISCUSSION CAN HELP STUDENTS FEEL CONNECTED IN THE CLASSROOM. BEING PART OF A GROUP DISCUSSION CAN PROMOTE CREATIVITY AND CONCENTRATION.

ASK STUDENTS TO GET INTO GROUPS OF FIVE

TELL STUDENTS THAT THEIR TASK WILL BE TO WORK IN THEIR GROUPS AND FIND FIVE THINGS THAT EVERYONE IN THEIR GROUP HAS IN COMMON THAT ARE NOT TO DO WITH SCHOOL. MAKE THE RULE THAT BODY PARTS (WE ALL HAVE ARMS ETC.) AND CLOTHING (WE ALL WEAR PANTS ETC.) DO NOT COUNT.

ASK STUDENTS TO NOMINATE ONE PERSON IN THEIR GROUP TO WRITE DOWN THINGS EVERYONE HAD IN COMMON.

WHEN ALL GROUPS HAVE FINISHED WRITING THEIR LIST OF FIVE THINGS ASK A VOLUNTEER FROM EACH GROUP TO READ OUT THEIR LIST. SEE IF ANYTHING OVERLAPS ACROSS ALL GROUP LISTS. THERE MIGHT BE ONE THING ALL STUDENTS HAVE IN COMMON!

DEBRIEF: WHILE WE ARE ALL VERY DIFFERENT, IF WE TRY HARD ENOUGH WE COULD PROBABLY CONNECT WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE ON ONE THING (OR MORE). MAYBE SOME STUDENTS ARE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE TO CONNECT WITH EVERYONE IN THE CLASS THIS TERM IN A POSITIVE WAY.