Top 5 Ice Breakers for High School Students
Working in a high school is not always easy, but we want to let you in on a little secret – the more you get to know your students on a personal level and allow them glimpses into your own life, the more likely they are to come to your therapy sessions. High school students want to trust the adults in their lives, and by allowing them glimpses into your own life, you open the door for a trusting relationship.
Before we start targeting any goals at the beginning of the year, we spend the first few sessions building rapport with our students. This is absolutely critical if you’re working in a high school because it helps establish that trusting relationship. What better way to establish rapport with your students than engage in ice breaker activities? Ice breakers not only get your students talking, but they get your students feeling comfortable in your room, with their new group members, and with you. Ice breakers are also a great way to informally assess your students’ pragmatic language, oral language, expressive language, and receptive language skills.
Keep reading to learn about some of our 5 favorite ice breakers that we return to year after year.
ICE BREAKER #1: TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
One of our favorites! Students write two true statements about themselves and one lie on a piece of paper. The other students in the group try to guess which statement is a lie. There are always students who take this to new heights, making up outrageous lies trying to be funny. The results are sure to get a few smiles, and if you’re lucky, even some laughs from your high schoolers.
Ice breaker #2: What do you love?
Create a grid of 6 boxes and write different categories in each box (ex: tv show, music performers, sports, games, etc.). All students fill in their favorites in the boxes and the teacher collects the worksheets. The teacher will read them out loud and the students in the group will try to guess who they think wrote the responses on each piece of paper.
Ice breaker #3: Snowball fight
Students write 5 facts about themselves on a piece of paper. Then instruct the students to crumple the paper into a ball and roll or toss across the table for 1-2 minutes. After time is up, students pick up a snowball, read the facts, and try to guess who’s snowball they have by asking other students yes/no questions.
Ice breaker #4: Ask me anything
This activity involves students interviewing other students in their group. You can pre-write the questions or have the students come up with their own questions to ask. Some questions can include:
- What makes you the happiest?
- Who is your favorite social media influencer?
- What is hardest about being a teenager and why?
Ice breaker #5: Vision boards
Vision board activities take a bit more time, but they are worth it! Vision boards are visual representations of goals, dreams, interests, and desires designed to inspire and motivate. Teach your students about vision boards by showing them examples (easily found through a Google search) and brainstorming pictures that can go on their vision boards. Help your students what they would include, then let them get to work and create their own vision boards. You can have them use the internet and create a vision board on Google Slides or have them cut up old magazines to create a paper collage. You may have higher level students write a paragraph about their vision boards (and you get to assess their writing – win win!). Take the project one step further and have the students present their vision boards to the group, while the other students take notes, make connections, and ask questions. Then hang the vision boards around your classroom for extra inspiration throughout the year!
You can’t go wrong with any of these ice breakers. Our high schoolers love these and we know yours will too! Looking for more ice breakers? Check out our ice breakers resource here.
