Ice Breakers!

I'm sure you've all done a thousand ice breakers since you've started LIM. For orientation we like to do a lot of ice breakers for the students to get to know eachother as well as you with them and vice versa. I did a little research and I put together some of the best ice breakers I could find. Start thinking of some good ones that you can do with your group!


Marooned:
This ice breaker is a great introduction when people don’t know each other, and it fosters team building in groups that already work together. I have always found people’s answers to be very revealing about who they are as a person.

Instructions
Give people a minute or two to think about this question: If you were marooned on a deserted island, which three people would you want with you? They can be dead, alive, or imaginary. Ask participants to introduce themselves and share their choices with the group. Start with yourself so they have an example.

Example: Hi, my name is Deb. If I were marooned on a deserted island, I would want Tim with me because he’s smart, strong, and fun, and I love him. He would know how to make a shelter and find food, and we’d have wonderful conversations. My second choice would be someone who tells great stories, like Garrison Keillor or Eoin Colfer. And my third would be Solomon Burke, the blues singer, so we’d have soulful music.

Expectations:
Expectations are powerful, especially when you're teaching adults. Understanding your students' expectations of the course you're teaching is key to your success. Make sure you know what your students expect with this expectations ice breaker.

Instructions:
· Introduce themselves
· Share their expectations of the college/semester

Example: Hi, my name is Deb, and I’m expecting to learn how to handle difficult or challenging people.

Different Path:
Almost everyone has wished at some point that they had taken a different path in life. We get started in one direction, and before long, there's no turning back. Sometimes this isn't that big of a deal, but what a tragedy it is when a life so full of promise gets off track and derails. It can seem like there's no way to change direction. Wouldn't it be wonderful if simply stating the desire for a new path could inspire it to action? Can't hurt to try. Find out if your students are in your classroom to find a new direction.

Instructions
Ask each participant to share their name, a little about the path they chose to take in life, and which path they would choose today if they could do it all over, knowing what they know today. Ask them to add how the different path is related to why they are sitting in your classroom.

Example
Hi, my name is Deb. I have been a training manager, performance consultant, editor, and writer. If I could start over and take another path, I would study creative writing more and start my publishing career much earlier. I’m here today because I’d like to include more history in my writing.

Candy Confessions:
Choose four candies from the bowl without looking. In a moment, a key code will be revealed, indicating which truths you should tell. Once the code has been revealed you may begin your confession.

Materials Needed
Basket of Candy
Key Code (e.g. Kit Kats = Favorite Movie, Favorite Magazine, Favorite Song, or Favorite Book, Krackle = Favorite Vacation Spot, Place You Would Like To Visit, Place You Would Least Like To Visit, or Worst Vacation, Lollipop =Number of Years in Current Position, Where You Work, What You Do, or Brief Description of First Job, Gum Drops = Something About Where You Live, Something About Where You Grew Up, Something About Your Family, Something About Your Town/City, Kisses = Wildcard [tell us anything])

Different Version:
o Use a ball of string. Allow each person to take as much as they like. For each inch, they must reveal something about themselves. (Additional material: string, scissors, and ruler)