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Connect & Chill

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Joseph Malvezzi

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Connect & Chill Lesson Plan

Students will ease first-day jitters by participating in quick, engaging icebreaker activities that build rapport, foster a supportive classroom community, and help them feel connected in 30 minutes.

A positive start reduces anxiety, encourages participation, and lays the foundation for trust and collaboration among peers, boosting overall classroom engagement.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Fast-paced, student-centered mixers build comfort and community.

Materials

  • Name Tags, - Markers, - Sticky Notes, - First-Day Mood Meter Poster, and - Chat Wheel Cards

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and assemble Chat Wheel Cards, cutting out each prompt card
  • Print and display the First-Day Mood Meter Poster on a visible wall
  • Gather markers, sticky notes, and blank name tags
  • Arrange desks in clusters to facilitate partner/group work

Step 1

Welcome & Mood Check

5 minutes

  • Greet students at the door and have them write their name on a name tag
  • Direct students to place a sticky note on the mood meter poster to indicate how they’re feeling
  • Briefly acknowledge the range of emotions and normalize first-day nerves

Step 2

Chat Wheel Icebreaker

10 minutes

  • Distribute one Chat Wheel Cards prompt to each student
  • Students find a partner and discuss the prompt for 1–2 minutes each
  • After time is up, students swap cards and find a new partner until time expires

Step 3

Two Truths & a Lie

8 minutes

  • In groups of four, each student shares two true facts and one false fact about themselves
  • Peers guess the lie, then reveal and explain
  • Rotate until every student has shared

Step 4

Reflection & Cool Down

7 minutes

  • Bring the class back together in a circle
  • Ask volunteers to share one new thing they learned about a classmate
  • Highlight positive moments and thank students for their participation
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Slide Deck

Connect & Chill

Icebreakers to ease first-day jitters and build our classroom community together.

Welcome everyone to our first-day session! Introduce yourself and set a warm, friendly tone. Explain that today’s goal is to get to know each other, ease any nerves, and start building a positive classroom community.

Lesson Overview

  • Welcome & Mood Check (5 min)
  • Chat Wheel Icebreaker (10 min)
  • Two Truths & a Lie (8 min)
  • Reflection & Cool Down (7 min)

Quickly walk through the agenda so students know what to expect. Emphasize that everything is low stakes and meant to be fun.

Welcome & Mood Check

  • Write your name on your name tag
  • Place a sticky note on the mood meter poster to show how you’re feeling
  • Notice that it’s normal to feel excited, nervous, or somewhere in between

As students enter, hand out name tags and markers. Point out the First-Day Mood Meter Poster. Normalize all feelings and thank everyone for sharing.

Chat Wheel Icebreaker

  • Take one chat wheel card with a fun prompt
  • Find a partner and discuss your prompts for 1–2 minutes each
  • When time’s up, swap cards and find a new partner

Distribute the Chat Wheel Cards. Monitor timing and signal when to swap partners. Encourage students to listen actively.

Two Truths & a Lie

  • In groups of four, each person shares two true facts and one false fact about themselves
  • Peers guess which is the lie
  • Reveal the lie and explain why it might have seemed real

Arrange groups of four. Remind students to guess respectfully. Walk around, listen in, and highlight great examples of storytelling.

Reflection & Cool Down

  • Return to a circle and choose volunteers to share one new thing they learned
  • Celebrate surprises and common interests
  • Thank everyone for their participation

Bring everyone back to a circle. Invite volunteers and model one share first. Highlight positive connections and thank them for their openness.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

  • Great job connecting today!
  • Carry this openness and kindness into our next classes
  • See you tomorrow for more fun and learning

Reinforce how today’s activities set the tone for a supportive classroom. Remind students of upcoming activities tomorrow.

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Activity

Chat Wheel Cards

Use these 12 prompt cards for the Chat Wheel Icebreaker. Print them on cardstock, cut along the lines, and distribute one card to each student.

Card 1
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Card 2
What’s a hobby you enjoy and why?

Card 3
What superpower would you choose and how would you use it?

Card 4
What’s your favorite book or movie, and what do you love about it?

Card 5
If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and why?

Card 6
What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten?

Card 7
If you could learn any new skill instantly, what would you pick?

Card 8
What kind of music or band do you listen to most?

Card 9
If you won a million dollars, what’s the first thing you’d do?

Card 10
Describe your dream job or career.

Card 11
What is one thing on your bucket list?

Card 12
If you could have any animal (real or mythical) as a pet, what would it be?

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Warm Up

First-Day Mood Meter Poster

Write your name or draw an emoji on a sticky note and place it in the quadrant that best describes how you’re feeling right now.

High EnergyLow Energy
Pleasant😊 Excited, Happy, Energetic



😌 Calm, Content, Relaxed



Unpleasant😰 Anxious, Nervous, Frustrated



😢 Sad, Bored, Tired



Instructions for display:

  • Print this poster at least on 11"×17" paper (larger if possible).
  • Post it on a visible wall at student entry.
  • Provide sticky notes and markers nearby.
  • Encourage each student to place their note as they enter.

Back to Lesson Plan

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