Ice Breaker: What Do We Have in Common
Materials:
- Marker or other writing utensil
- Poster board or other paper
Instructions:
- Break into small groups of 4-6 (at least 1 adopter in each group)
- Pass out poster board and marker to each group
- Set a timer for a defined amount of time (5-10 minutes)
- Each group is to discuss what they all have in common and identify at least 5 commonalities.
- Can be hobbies, music, interest, favorite foods, family traditions, etc.
- Should not be body parts, clothing, or outwardly identifiable items.
- The more unique the items are, the better
- Write your 5 commonalities on the poster board.
- Taje time to share out your items. This can be done by each group reading off their items and discussing how they came to identify that is was a commonality,
- Make certain to point out the fact that no matter what you may think or know about others, we all will have something in common with one another.
- Display the poster in the room after the activity is complete
Tips:
- For Pre-K through 1st grade, the adult in each small group should act a scribe and write down the items in common on the poster.
- For older classrooms 5th – 8th challenge the the groups to not repeat any commonalities listed by other groups. This will help the conversation focus on more thoughtful items.
- Increase or decrease the number of times to identify depending on your groups abilities and time allotment.
- Engage with your teacher to identify the make-up of the groups so that students who normally don’t interact much, have an opportunity to connect in the same small group.
- This can also be used as an anti-bullying or bullying awareness activity.
Download this activity here.