According to Zero Prep, icebreakers should be short and  language-centered and should give students a chance to learn about one another. Here are a few suggestions for first day activities that allow students to become acquainted.

Name Game

Objective: Students will learn the names of their classmates.

1.  All students (adults and children) sit in a circle on the floor.  Scrunch up a piece of paper, or use a rubber ball, and throw it to a student. The student must say his/her name when they catch the object. Then the student throws the object to another student who again must state his/her name.

2.    After all students have had a chance to catch the ball and say their name at least once (but twice is better) repeat the activity BUT this time, the student with the object says the name of another student and simultaneously throws the object to him/her. The student who received the object must then say the name of a student and throw the object to him/her. Keep this going until all students have had the ball and have thrown it to another student, saying his/her name.

3.  To wrap up,  walk around the circle and ask the group to say the name of each student  as you stand by her/him. Ask "What's her/his name?"

Getting to Know You Grid:

Objective: Students will learn a few things about each other.

1.   This mingling activity demands that students circulate and ask one another questions in order to learn something about them. Some suggestion for a Get-Acquainted Grid for beginners are:  name, favorite place, favorite food, favorite activity  (All these can be asked with What is.....)

2. For a more challenging game or as a follow up to number 1 listed above, ask students what their favorite food and/or drink is.

3. Write their responses on the board.

4. Give them some choices as to when they eat this food. For example: every morning, sometimes, etc.

5.  Have students mingle asking, "What's your favorite food?"  Students respond and add when they eat this food.  This can then be extended to include drinks.

(Source:  Kevin, W. Warwick, and Sherry, Central, from Zero Prep by L. Pollard and N. Hess)

TPR Name Tag Activity

Objective: Students will learn the names of their classmates and practice giving and following commands.

Materials: construction paper and markers for each student

Procedure:

Action Sequence --
Hold the paper.
Fold the paper.
Put the paper down on the table.
Write your name on the paper.
Put your name tag in front of you. 

1. Write action sequence on the board. Model the
action sequence using the construction paper and markers (writing the name can be mimed) for learners.

2.Learners repeat the action sequence as many times as needed.

3. Once learners finish their name tags, they can
practice in pairs.

*Clarification may be needed on the meaning of “name tag”.

(Source: Beata, South Providence, Smith Hill, and Mt Pleasant-day class)