“There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want.”
— Calvin
So long, summer, we’ll miss you.
I hope you’ve all recharged your batteries, made unforgettable memories and are excited about your upcoming ‘new year’.
Here are my favorite activities to kick off the new academic year and transition back into the school environment and learning. Unlike the previous TOP 9 and TOP 9+1 and TOP 10 activities (see BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES), these are all Q&A activities that may be built around one set of so-how-was-your-summer questions.
One thing I tried this summer
One person I met this summer
One thing I learned this summer
One place I went to this summer
The person I spent the most time with this summer
The best/worst meal I ate this summer
Something I bought this summer
Something I made this summer
Something I lost this summer
The best word to describe this summer
If you are looking for more personalised questions, try the Anti-Quiz Maker. You can either input your own text or use the details from your first class meeting to generate a new set of questions.
Here are the questions I got for teens to help break the ice:
- What’s one word that describes how you feel about starting a new class?
- If you could have any superpower for the school year, what would it be and why?
- Share one thing on your bucket list that you hope to achieve in the future.
- What’s a skill you have that you think could surprise your classmates?
If you were a character in a film/book, who would you be and why? - Describe a funny or memorable moment from a previous school year that still makes you laugh.
- You have the opportunity to create a new school club – what would it be about and why?
- If you could choose one fictional place to visit (from a book, film, etc.), where would you go and what would you do there?
Back to School: 1 Set of Qs - 8 activities
Pass it on
Hand out a sheet of paper to each student. Ask them to write down one question. Get them to pass on the questions (and write down their answers) until everyone gets their initial question back. Have students present a summary of the answers.
Human Bingo
Ask students to make a grid (3×3 or 4×4). Students rotate their grids, and answer the questions, one by one, until all the grids have been filled in with answers. Students mingle as a whole class and ask each other the questions and cross out the square in the grid if the answer is the same.
Candy Confessions
Candy confessions is another sweet option for the Q&A session. Have each student choose a candy from a variety of candies/ chocolates. Once they have chosen their favorite, put up the chart with questions they should answer. As an alternative, replace candies with a set of dice.
Opinion Poll
Hand out questions (one per student) and ask students to approach as many students as possible within 7 minutes (set your time limit depending on the number of students) to get answers to their questions. When the time is up, ask students to present a brief summary of the answers given.
Find Someone Who
Get students to answer the questions. Then students mingle and try to find someone who has the same answers to one of their questions. They should write that person’s name on their sheet and go on to the next question with another person. A student can write a person’s name only once.
'Summer starts with ...'
Place the questions around the room. Have students write their answers on post-it notes and add their post-it notes to the questions. Split students into small teams and ask them to choose any letter of the alphabet. Have students review the answers and write their catalogue poem where each line starts with ‘their’ letter.
Quiz, Quiz, Trade
Hand out a question to each student. Have students stand up, put their hands up and then pair up with someone else who has their hand up. Partner A quizzes. Partner B answers. Switch roles. Partners trade cards and raise their hands to find new partners.
Board Game
Write questions on post-it notes, arrange them as a game field and play the game.
[…] Now take a look around and see who feels the same way. Teachers, give a high-five to someone in your group and share memories of your summer holidays. Holidaymakers, say ‘Opa’ and start thinking about breaking the ice activities. […]