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All About Us Icebreakers

Lesson Plan

Friendship Fun Games Lesson Plan

Students will participate in two quick, engaging community-building games—Ice-Breaker Ball Toss and Find Someone Who—to learn classmates’ names and interests, fostering communication and collaboration.

Building strong classroom relationships boosts engagement, empathy, and a sense of belonging. These games help 3rd graders connect, share, and value each other’s uniqueness.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive name toss and mingle activities

Materials

Get-to-Know-You Question Cards, Name Toss Soft Ball, and Classroom Timer

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Ice-Breaker Ball Toss

5 minutes

  • Have students stand or sit in a circle facing inward.
  • Teacher models: hold the ball, say your name and answer a prompt (e.g., favorite color).
  • Toss the ball to a student; they say their name and answer a prompt, then toss to another.
  • Continue rapid tossing until most students have participated.

Step 2

Find Someone Who

7 minutes

  • Give each student one Get-to-Know-You Question Card.
  • Set the timer for 5 minutes.
  • Students walk around to find a peer who matches their card’s prompt and write that person’s name on their card.
  • Encourage them to ask follow-up questions if time allows.
  • When the timer goes off, students return to their spots.

Step 3

Share & Reflect

3 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle.
  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share an interesting fact they learned about someone else.
  • Reinforce that everyone has unique stories and interests, and celebrating them builds a stronger class community.
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Lesson Plan

Game Jam Plan

Students will engage in two interactive community-building games to learn classmates’ names and interests, fostering communication, empathy, and teamwork.

Building a strong classroom community early increases engagement, trust, and collaboration. These games help 3rd graders connect personally, boosting confidence and setting a positive tone for future group work.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Fast-paced, interactive icebreakers

Materials

Get-to-Know-You Question Cards, Name Toss Soft Ball, and Classroom Timer

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Review the prompts on Get-to-Know-You Question Cards to ensure clarity.
  • Print and cut out the question cards so each student receives one.
  • Inflate or have ready the Name Toss Soft Ball.
  • Set up a visible Classroom Timer (digital countdown or stopwatch).

Step 1

Ice-Breaker Ball Toss

5 minutes

  • Have students form a circle facing inward.
  • Teacher models: hold the ball, say your name and answer a prompt (e.g., “My favorite hobby is reading”).
  • Toss the ball to a student; they state their name and answer a prompt, then toss to another.
  • Continue rapid tossing until most students have participated.

Step 2

Find Someone Who

7 minutes

  • Distribute one Get-to-Know-You Question Card to each student.
  • Start the Classroom Timer for 5 minutes.
  • Students mingle to find a peer who matches their card’s prompt and write that person’s name on the card.
  • Encourage follow-up questions to learn more about each match.
  • When time’s up, students return to their seats.

Step 3

Share & Reflect

3 minutes

  • Gather students back in a circle.
  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share an interesting fact they learned about a classmate.
  • Highlight how discovering others’ interests and stories builds a supportive classroom community.
lenny

Lesson Plan

All About Us Icebreakers

Students will participate in two engaging, community-building games to learn classmates’ names and interests, fostering communication and a positive classroom climate.

Early relationship-building boosts engagement, empathy, and belonging. These quick icebreakers help 3rd graders connect, share personal interests, and practice conversational skills to set a supportive class environment.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive circle games and mingling activities

Materials

Get-to-Know-You Question Cards, Name Toss Soft Ball, and Classroom Timer

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Review the prompts on Get-to-Know-You Question Cards to ensure clarity.
  • Print and cut out the question cards so each student receives one.
  • Inflate or have ready the Name Toss Soft Ball.
  • Set up a visible Classroom Timer (digital countdown or stopwatch).

Step 1

Ice-Breaker Ball Toss

5 minutes

  • Have students form a circle facing inward.
  • Teacher models: hold the ball, say your name and answer a prompt (e.g., “My favorite hobby is drawing”).
  • Toss the ball to a student; they state their name and answer a prompt, then toss to another.
  • Continue rapid tossing until most students have participated.

Step 2

Find Someone Who

7 minutes

  • Distribute one Get-to-Know-You Question Card to each student.
  • Start the Classroom Timer for 5 minutes.
  • Students mingle to find a peer who matches their card’s prompt and write that person’s name on the card.
  • Encourage follow-up questions to learn more about each match.
  • When time’s up, students return to their seats.

Step 3

Share & Reflect

3 minutes

  • Gather students back in a circle.
  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share an interesting fact they learned about a classmate.
  • Emphasize how discovering others’ interests builds a strong, supportive classroom community.
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Slide Deck

All About Us Icebreakers

15-Minute Session | 3rd Grade | Tier 1 Classroom

Welcome the class with enthusiasm. Say: “Today, we’re playing two fun games to learn everyone’s names and interests. Ready to get started?”

Objectives

  • Learn classmates’ names and interests
  • Practice asking and answering questions
  • Build a friendly, supportive classroom community

Read aloud each objective and ask students to think how they will meet them during the activities.

Materials & Prep

Before students arrive, set up the timer, inflate the soft ball, and place question cards on a table for easy distribution.

Game 1: Ice-Breaker Ball Toss (5 min)

  1. Form a circle facing inward.
  2. Teacher holds the ball, says name + prompt (e.g., “My favorite hobby is drawing”).
  3. Toss to a student; they share name + prompt, then toss on.
  4. Continue rapid tossing until most students participate.

Model this first toss yourself. Encourage quick responses and keep the ball moving to maintain energy.

Game 2: Find Someone Who (7 min)

  1. Distribute one Get-to-Know-You Question Card to each student.
  2. Start timer for 5 minutes.
  3. Students mingle to find a peer matching their prompt and write that name on the card.
  4. When time’s up, return to seats.

Set the timer for 5 minutes. Circulate to help students find peers and ask follow-up questions.

Share & Reflect (3 min)

  • Gather back in a circle.
  • Ask a few volunteers to share an interesting fact they learned.
  • Highlight how hearing each other’s stories makes our class stronger.

Invite 2–3 volunteers. Praise students for listening and sharing. Reinforce community building.

Time Breakdown

  • Prep (before class): 5 min
  • Game 1: 5 min
  • Game 2: 7 min
  • Share & Reflect: 3 min

Keep an eye on the clock and give 1-minute warnings for transitions.

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Worksheet

Get-to-Know-You Question Cards

Print and cut out each card. Give one card to each student for the “Find Someone Who” game. Students mingle to find a peer who matches their prompt and write that person’s name.

  1. Find someone who has a pet at home.
    Name: ________________________


  2. Find someone whose favorite color is blue.
    Name: ________________________


  3. Find someone who likes pizza.
    Name: ________________________


  4. Find someone who has been to the beach.
    Name: ________________________


  5. Find someone who enjoys reading books.
    Name: ________________________


  6. Find someone who can ride a bike.
    Name: ________________________


  7. Find someone who plays a musical instrument.
    Name: ________________________


  8. Find someone who has a birthday in the summer.
    Name: ________________________


  9. Find someone who loves to draw or paint.
    Name: ________________________


  10. Find someone who has traveled to another state.
    Name: ________________________


  11. Find someone whose favorite sport is soccer.
    Name: ________________________


  12. Find someone who likes to eat ice cream.
    Name: ________________________


  13. Find someone who has more than one sibling.
    Name: ________________________


  14. Find someone whose favorite subject is math.
    Name: ________________________


  15. Find someone who has a pet fish.
    Name: ________________________


  16. Find someone who enjoys playing video games.
    Name: ________________________


  17. Find someone whose favorite season is winter.
    Name: ________________________


  18. Find someone who likes to swim.
    Name: ________________________


  19. Find someone who has a garden or plants at home.
    Name: ________________________


  20. Find someone whose favorite fruit is apples.
    Name: ________________________


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Warm Up

Name Toss Warm-Up

A quick, energizing activity to help students recall classmates’ names and get ready for the main icebreakers.

Objective

Students will practice listening and name recall skills in a fun, fast-paced game.

Time

3 minutes

Materials

Instructions

  1. Have students form a circle, standing or sitting comfortably.
  2. Teacher holds the soft ball, says a student’s name, and gently tosses it to that student.
  3. The catcher says, “Thank you, [Teacher Name],” then names another classmate and tosses the ball to them.
  4. Continue rapid tossing around the circle. Encourage students to keep track of who’s already had the ball.
  5. After one full round or when time’s up, finish with a group clap to celebrate remembering everyone’s name.

Extension (if time allows)

  • Memory Chain: Each student, before tossing, repeats the names of the previous two catchers.
  • Speed Round: Challenge the class to complete a round in under 30 seconds.

Transition

After the final toss, invite students to take a quick stretch and then move on to the “Ice-Breaker Ball Toss” game for deeper introductions.

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Cool Down

Quick Community Reflect

Time: 3 minutes
Objective: Reinforce our classroom community, celebrate new connections, and reflect on how working together felt.

Directions

Give each student a pencil. Read each prompt aloud and allow time for writing. If time allows, invite a few volunteers to share their responses.

1. What was your favorite part of today’s games, and why?







2. What is one interesting thing you learned about a classmate?







3. How did it feel to work and talk with your classmates?




4. If you could use one word to describe our classroom community today, what would it be?




Teacher Tip:
• Collect reflections quietly, or invite 2–3 students to share out loud.
• Praise honest answers and highlight positive community words.
• Use student feedback to plan future community-building activities.

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