Day 1: Get to Know You Activities for Grade 9 English
Kick off the new school year with engaging activities to help students feel comfortable and excited about their English class. Here are two creative ideas to foster connections and build a strong classroom community.
Activity 1: "All About Me" Collage
Objective
Students will create a visual representation of their interests, values, and aspirations, which serves as an icebreaker and helps classmates get to know each other.
Materials Needed
- A3 or poster board
- Magazines, newspapers, printed images
- Scissors and glue
- Markers or colored pencils
Instructions
- Introduction: Begin by explaining the importance of understanding each other’s backgrounds and interests to foster a supportive learning environment.
- Collage Creation:
- Hand out materials and give students 30-40 minutes to create a collage that represents aspects of themselves. This could include favorite subjects, hobbies, family values, dreams, or places they’ve visited.
- Encourage them to use words, images, and color to express their individuality.
- Gallery Walk:
- Once completed, students will display their collages around the classroom.
- Allow time for a “gallery walk” where students can observe their classmates' work, write positive comments on sticky notes, and ask questions.
- Class Discussion: Conclude with a class discussion where a few volunteers share their collages and insights.
Expected Outcome
Students will visually express themselves, leading to deeper conversations and connections within the class.
Activity 2: "Two Truths and a Lie"
Objective
Encourages students to share personal facts in a fun way while promoting listening and critical thinking skills.
Instructions
- Introduction: Explain the rules of the game. Each student will come up with three statements about themselves—two truths and one lie.
- Preparation: Give students 5-10 minutes to think of their three statements. Remind them to keep their lie believable!
- Sharing:
- Arrange students in small groups of 4-5.
- Each student takes turns sharing their three statements while the rest of the group guesses which one is the lie.
- After each round, the student reveals the lie and can share a brief story related to their truths.
- Whole Class Debrief: After everyone has had a turn, reconvene as a whole class. Invite a few students to share particularly interesting truths or funny moments from their small groups.
Expected Outcome
This activity fosters communication, builds trust, and encourages students to engage with each other while honing their speaking and listening skills.
These activities will not only help students learn more about each other but also create a positive and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and heard, setting a great tone for the rest of the school year in English class!