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10 Warm Ups for Lesson Plans

A Few of My Favorite Things


At the risk of having the song stuck in your collective classroom head all day, this ice
breaker is a good one for customizing to any topic. Whether youve gathered to talk about
math or literature, ask your students to share their top three favorite things about
whatever it is youre there to discuss.
If you have time, go back around for the flip side: what are their three least favorite
things? This information will be even more helpful if you ask them to explain why. Will your
time together help to solve any of these issues?

Ideal Size
Up to 30. Divide larger groups.

Use For
Introductions in the classroom or at a meeting, or as an energizer when you cant get
people to participate in discussion.

Time Needed
30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the group and the discussion generated.

Materials Needed
If desired, a flip chart or white board and markers.

Instructions
Go around the room and ask everyone to list their top three favorite things about your
topic or in general. Why are they favorites?
Keep a list on a flip chart or white board and use for discussion.

Debriefing
If the exercise generates discussion, debriefing is unnecessary. You will have accomplished
your goal.

2. Brainstorm Race
A brainstorm race is a great way to review topics youve already covered, and have some
energizing fun in the process. Teams race to brainstorm and list as many items as they can
in a certain amount of time---without speaking!

Ideal Size
Teams of four work best, so ideal group size is limited by the space you have available for
teams of four.

Use For
Reviewing a topic. Energizing your classroom.

Time Needed
30 minutes is ideal.

Materials Needed
Flip charts are ideal because you can turn them so the groups cant see each others work.
If you dont have flip charts, white boards will work just fine. If no board is available, large
sheets of paper will work. A marker for each student.

Instructions
Divide the group into teams of four. Explain that you will give them a topic. They will have
30 seconds (or however long works best for your group) to brainstorm and list as many
ideas as they can come up with. Heres the kicker---they cannot speak. Each student must
write his or her ideas on the board or paper youve provided. The team with the most ideas
after the prescribed time wins that round.
Ask the winning team to present their ideas. Ask remaining teams to add any ideas the
winning team missed and to correct any mistakes the winning team may have made.
Proceed with the next challenge. Keep a running score on the front board.

Example
If youre teaching speech, you might ask the groups to list non-verbals, fillers, and kinds of
speeches. If youre teaching nursing, you might ask for lists of muscles, bones, and shiftchange check items. You get the drift.

Debriefing
Debrief by asking the group if working in teams helped or hindered. Did having a deadline
help or hinder? Were they surprised by how many ideas they came up with, or didnt?

3. 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.

Ideal Size:

Up to 20. Divide larger groups.

Use for:
Introductions in the classroom or at a meeting, to understand what every participant is
expecting to learn from the class or gathering.

Time Needed:
15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the group.

Materials Needed:
A flip chart or white board, and markers.

Instructions:
Write Expectations at the top of a flip chart or white board.
When its time for students to introduce themselves, explain that expectations are
powerful, and that understanding them is key to the success of any class. Tell the group
that you would like them to:

Introduce themselves
Share their expectations of the class
Add a wild prediction of the best possible outcome should their expectations be
met. Ask them to be as specific as possible, and encourage silliness or fun if you
want.

Example:
Hi, my name is Deb, and Im expecting to learn how to handle difficult or challenging
people, and my wildest expectation is that if I knew how to do that, nobody would ever get
under my skin again. Ever.

Debrief:
State your objectives of the course, review the list of expectations the group made, and
explain whether or not, and why, if not, their expectations will or won't be covered in the
course.

4. If You Had a Magic Wand


If you had a magic wand, what would you change? This is an ice breaker that opens minds,
considers possibilities, and energizes your group when discussion is dead.

Ideal Size:
Up to 20. Divide larger groups.

Use For:
Introductions in the classroom or at a meeting, or to energize a group when discussion has
become dry.

Time Needed:
15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the group.

Materials Needed:
A flip chart or white board, and markers if you want to record the results, but this will
depend on your topic and reason for playing. It isnt necessary. A fun wand of some kind to
pass around would add to the fun.

Instructions for Use During Introductions:


Give the magic wand to the first student with instructions to give his or her name, say a
little something about why they chose this class, and what they would wish for regarding
the topic if they had a magic wand.

Example:
Hi, my name is Deb. I wanted to take this class because I really struggle with math. My
calculator is my best friend. If I had a magic wand, Id have a calculator in my head so I
could do math instantly.

Instructions for Use When Discussion Dries Up:


When youre having trouble getting your class to participate in discussion. get the magic
wand out and pass it around. Ask students to share what they would do with a magic
wand.
If you think your topic should be eliciting creative responses from your students, but isnt,
keep the magic on the topic. If youre open to a little fun and craziness to liven things up,
open the magic to anything at all. You might produce some laughter, and laughter heals
almost everything.

Debriefing:

Debrief after introductions, especially if you have a white board or flip chart to refer to, by
reviewing which magic wishes will be touched on in your agenda.
If used as an energizer, debrief by asking the group to discuss how their magic wishes can
be applied to your topic. Encourage wide open thinking. The sky is the limit. Sometimes
two seemingly different ideas can be combined to create a great new thought.

5. If You Won the Lottery

Money is pretty powerful. Hows that for an understatement! Its easy to think having a lot
of it would solve all our problems, but history shows otherwise. If you won the lottery,
what would you do with all the cash?

Ideal Size
Any size works. Break into small groups if desired.

Use For
Introductions in the classroom or at a meeting. This game is especially appropriate if
youre teaching math, accounting, or social sciences because you can tie the answers to
your material.

Time Needed
30-60 minutes.

Materials Needed
None, unless you want to record the answers on a flip chart or white board for use during
debriefing.

Instructions
Ask each student to give their name and share what they would do with the money if they
won the lottery. Specify the amount if youve got a particularly analytical group.

Example
Hi, my name is Deb. If I won the lottery, I would pay off my car loan, plant some big trees
in my backyard, put a big chunk in my retirement account, buy some things for my
favorite people, and make donations to the organizations that are trying to save our
planet. Oh, and buy some new Chaco sandals!

Debriefing
If youre teaching one of the topics mentioned above---math, accounting, or social
sciences---make notes as you listen to the responses, or better yet, record them on a flip
chart or white board. Debrief by asking your students which items they might expect to
associate with your topic. This would be a good lead-in to a review of your agenda.

On a deeper level, use this exercise as a springboard for a meaningful conversation about
the role money plays in our society. How does it work for good? What problems does it
cause? How does it perpetuate a social caste system? What effect does it have on our
decisions based on the level of importance we give it?

Ice Breaker - The Power of Story

Ideal Size:
Up to 20. Divide larger groups.

Use for:
Introductions in the classroom or at a meeting where the topic would be enriched by the
sharing of personal stories. This exercise gives everyone a chance to share their story, and
helps you manage storytelling later.

Time Needed:
Depends on the number of people and the time you allow for personal stories.

Materials Needed:
Nothing, but you must communicate with participants beforehand. They will need to bring
a personal item related to your topic.

Instructions:
Send your students an email or letter prior to their arrival at your class or meeting and ask
them to bring a personal item that is somehow related to the topic you will be discussing.
When its time for students to introduce themselves, explain that you want to recognize
and honor the life experiences and wisdom they bring to your classroom. Ask them to give
their name, present the item they brought, and, in a minute or two, tell the group the
story behind that item.

Why did they choose it?


What special memory does it elicit for them?
What is its significance given your topic?

Debrief
Ask for a few volunteers to share any surprises they experienced as people shared their
stories. Did anyones item and story cause them to think differently about your topic?

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