Ice Breakers
When working with students with Major Depressive Disorder counselors oftentimes find themselves in need of ice breaker activity ideas. Ice Breaker activities are important to create a positive group atmosphere, help people to relax, break down social barriers, energize & motivate, help people to "think outside the box”, and help people to get to know one another. Ice Breaker activities can ready the client to engage in meaningful work. Ice Breakers can relate to the session directly and it can relate to individual and group sessions.
What is an Ice Breaker?
Ice breakers are activities or modes of discussion used to help individuals ease into a group setting. Some ice breakers are done in groups and some can be individually completed. Others involve physical activities while others can be purely mental. Any activity that suits the intended purpose can be used.
For what are ice breakers used?
They can serve many purposes from facilitating introductions, to prior knowledge assessment, to several other reasons outlined below and others that have probably been inadvertently omitted. Also note that a single ice breaker could easily fall into several of the categories. They are not intended to be mutually exclusive and you should design or choose activities that meet all of your intended needs.
When does one use an ice breaker?
Usually, an ice breaker is used at the beginning of a session or course in order to let everyone in the course get to know one another. However, they can be useful within a course as well. Whenever group formation occurs, such as before a group project, ice breakers can be useful. Ice breakers by definition occur at the start of a process. It should be noted, though, that the ice breaker activities that one may have in his/her repertoire need not be limited in use to the beginning of a process. For example, ice breakers in the knowledge assessment category could be used whenever a new topic is introduced in a course, although they would then be called knowledge pre-assessments.
What is an Ice Breaker?
Ice breakers are activities or modes of discussion used to help individuals ease into a group setting. Some ice breakers are done in groups and some can be individually completed. Others involve physical activities while others can be purely mental. Any activity that suits the intended purpose can be used.
For what are ice breakers used?
They can serve many purposes from facilitating introductions, to prior knowledge assessment, to several other reasons outlined below and others that have probably been inadvertently omitted. Also note that a single ice breaker could easily fall into several of the categories. They are not intended to be mutually exclusive and you should design or choose activities that meet all of your intended needs.
- Facilitating Introductions - When groups first come together, interactions and discussions can be hindered by timidness, a lack of understanding the norms of the group, and/or simple unfamiliarity among other possibilities. Ice breakers can be used to create familiarity within the group and ease everyone into the group process. The desired end result is a more open discussion forum and pleasing environment within the group in which the group process can continue.
- Prior Knowledge Assessment - One pedagogical advantage of using ice breakers is that they provide the instructor an opportunity to assess student prior knowledge. They can then lead to the identification of individual needs within the group while also introducing everyone and helping to create a healthy group environment as with facilitating introductions.
- Environment Creation / Fostering Group Unity- The environment has already been mentioned in each of the above uses. A primary purpose of ice breakers can be to help create an open environment in which all participants are willing to open up and participate. Participants need to be encouraged to open up to one another and relax. The introduction and the method by which the ice breaker is carried out can also be designed to encourage a break down of status/race/gender/etc. barriers that may pre-exist in the group. As members of the group get to know one another for better or worse, a form of group unity develops, especially in situations in which a common goal both exists and is known by all.
- Topic Segues - When starting a new topic, ice-breakers can be created to introduce the topic. Often, some form of prior knowledge activity can be used to this end. These are also particularly useful when the members of the group already know each other by one means or another.
- Preparation of Participants - Many learning environments (and this concept is particularly true in online education) require some form of introduction in order to be fully utilized by the participants. By structuring the ice breaking activity into the learning environment or course management system, students can get to know one another while getting to know the course delivery method.
- Energizers - Some ice breakers are designed simply to energize the group of participants. Although less common in an online course where there is unlikely to be a physical task to perform, they can still be very useful in face-to-face workshop environments for second day/morning activities to help wake up everyone.
When does one use an ice breaker?
Usually, an ice breaker is used at the beginning of a session or course in order to let everyone in the course get to know one another. However, they can be useful within a course as well. Whenever group formation occurs, such as before a group project, ice breakers can be useful. Ice breakers by definition occur at the start of a process. It should be noted, though, that the ice breaker activities that one may have in his/her repertoire need not be limited in use to the beginning of a process. For example, ice breakers in the knowledge assessment category could be used whenever a new topic is introduced in a course, although they would then be called knowledge pre-assessments.
Icebreaker 1: The Me Shield
Age: This activity will be used for 8th grade students (ages 12-14) .
Purpose/Goal: This exercise is centered around self-exploration and challenges participants to support one another’s stories and visions. “The Me Shield” is a strengths based activity that cultivates self-acceptance amongst members and encourages students to examine their inner resources. It will be utilized with students in an effort to bolster awareness of attitudes and behaviors as well as increase confidence.
Age: This activity will be used for 8th grade students (ages 12-14) .
Purpose/Goal: This exercise is centered around self-exploration and challenges participants to support one another’s stories and visions. “The Me Shield” is a strengths based activity that cultivates self-acceptance amongst members and encourages students to examine their inner resources. It will be utilized with students in an effort to bolster awareness of attitudes and behaviors as well as increase confidence.
the_me_shield-1.doc | |
File Size: | 62 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Icebreaker 2: Worries in a Hat
Age: Secondary students
Purpose/Goal: “Worries in a Hat” is a teambuilding exercise that promotes unity and fosters group cohesion and group support. It will be used with students in order to help them start to deal with fears/worries they have. A good way of starting to deal with fears is to have them openly acknowledged, without being subject to ridicule. Having one's fears expressed and heard almost immediately cuts them in half. This icebreaker not only helps students feel comfortable discussing worries, but also develops group connection and cohesion by the discussion of common fears. The icebreaker is a great segue into helping students overcome their worries by receiving suggestions and possible solutions from their peers, as well as offering suggestions/solutions to their peers, which can serve as a way to empower the students.
Age: Secondary students
Purpose/Goal: “Worries in a Hat” is a teambuilding exercise that promotes unity and fosters group cohesion and group support. It will be used with students in order to help them start to deal with fears/worries they have. A good way of starting to deal with fears is to have them openly acknowledged, without being subject to ridicule. Having one's fears expressed and heard almost immediately cuts them in half. This icebreaker not only helps students feel comfortable discussing worries, but also develops group connection and cohesion by the discussion of common fears. The icebreaker is a great segue into helping students overcome their worries by receiving suggestions and possible solutions from their peers, as well as offering suggestions/solutions to their peers, which can serve as a way to empower the students.
icebreakeractivity-worriesinahat-1-2.docx | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Icebreaker 3: Catch Me If You Can
Age: Middle school students
Purpose/Goal: Provide an engaging way for the group to warm up to each other, while getting to meet and familiarize themselves with new people. This is a good exercise used to foster and promote interaction between group members, as well as a way to challenge their creativity and ability to adapt to change. It will also help group members to be more observant of others and have fun while getting to know one another.
Age: Middle school students
Purpose/Goal: Provide an engaging way for the group to warm up to each other, while getting to meet and familiarize themselves with new people. This is a good exercise used to foster and promote interaction between group members, as well as a way to challenge their creativity and ability to adapt to change. It will also help group members to be more observant of others and have fun while getting to know one another.
ice_breaker_activity-1.doc | |
File Size: | 34 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Many more ice breakers can be found from the sites below:
- TEAMBUILDERS / ENERGIZERS / ICE-BREAKERS www.drexel.edu/OCA/l/tipsheets/Teambuilders.pdfp
The following is a list of many Teambuilders, Energizers, and Ice-Breakers. ..... sought mental health or counseling services, been proscribed drugs to correct ... - [PDF] ICEBREAKERS, GAMES, and INITIATIVES for GROUPS mrc.spps.org/uploads/icebreakersinititative.pdf-
ICEBREAKERS, GAMES, and INITIATIVES for GROUPS from Tim Pearson's Bag o' Tricks, The Cooperative Sports and Games Book, Playfair, silver Bullets, The ... - Ice Breaker Activities for Small Group Counseling | eHow www.ehow.com › Hobbies, Games & Toys
Ice Breaker Activities for Small Group Counseling. Icebreaker games are a way to provide group introductions outside of the usual routine. Additionally ... - The School Counselor's Chronicle: Ice Breakers are FUN! www.schcounselorschronicle.com/2011/09/ice-breakers-are-fun.html1
Sep 8, 2011 – One of the first things I do in every group is an icebreaker of course!Icebreakers are so important as they help put students at ease, and set the ... - Ice Breaker | Foxy the School Counselor's Blog! foxytheintern.wordpress.com/tag/ice-breaker/c
Sep 19, 2010 – Posts about Ice Breaker written by Foxy the Intern. ... As counselinginterns we are learning a lot ALL THE TIME and it is really helpful to have ... - [PDF] Games-and-Icebreakers-from-Action-Without-Borders halem.edublogs.org/.../games-and-icebreakers-from-action-without-bord...c
and icebreakers that are especially suitable for the beginning of a ..... Islands Of Healing: A Guide To Adventure Based Counseling, Jim Schoel, Dick Prouty, and ... - The Middle School Counselor: Icebreakers www.themiddleschoolcounselor.com/2013/02/icebreakers.html
Feb 5, 2013 – How do you get the conversation started? Sometimes when you are working with groups, you need a little kick start for a conversation. - Ice Breakers - The Ultimate Camp Resource www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activities/ice-breakers.html=
These type of activities are especially important on the first day of camp - in fact, leading fun ice breakers helps counselors set ground rules, ease camper ... - Ice Breakers - Communication Skills Training from MindTools.com www.mindtools.com › Communication Skills
Find out how ice breakers can make or break an event. Our article and video offer advice on great ways to kick start your event - [PDF] 40 Icebreakers for Small Groups - Insight - Typepad insight.typepad.co.uk/40_icebreakers_for_small_groups.pdfA
by Grahame Knox These 40 icebreakers are simple to use and suitable for a wide age range. ...It's probably impossible to say who first thought up any of these icebreakersand ... - of Icebreakers, Games and www.icebreakers.ws/s
Phew – just in time for the first few weeks of class! Our editors have handpicked more than 25 of our favorite icebreakers and group activities and have provided ... Small Group Size - Large Group Size - Medium Group Size - Extra Large Group Size - Ice Breakers at Games.com www.games.com/game/aol-inc/ice-breakerse
Play Ice Breakers and over 5000 other free online games at Games.com. - Icebreakers, Warmups, Energizers & Deinhibitizers - Wilderdom www.wilderdom.com/games/Icebreakers.htmlp
Apr 28, 2013 –& nbsp;Descriptions of group icebreakers, warmups, energizers and deinhibizers. - Ice Breakers (Icebreakers) from ResidentAssistant.com www.residentassistant.com/games/icebreakers.htm-
Ice Breakers and Team Builders from ResidentAssistant.com, a resource site for RAs (Resident Assistants). - Icebreakers - Improv Encyclopedia improvencyclopedia.org/categories//Icebreakers.htmlc
Icebreakers. These exercises are intended to get everybody acquainted and to learn each other`s names. Use these early on in a workshop, if players don`t ... - Category:Icebreakers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Icebreakers"
Pages in category "Icebreakers". The following 23 pages are in this category, out of 23 total. This list may not reflect recent changes (learn more). - Ice Breakers - The Ultimate Camp Resource www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activities/ice-breakers.html:
Contains categorized descriptions of ice breakers and name games, as well as activity search function and related links.
Resources
Berenback, E. & Wernham, F. (2013). Icebreaker activity: The me shield.
Di Stefano, A. & Mosenthal, K. (2013). Icebreaker activity: Worries in a hat.
Gentile, A. & Rosen, L. (2013). Ice breaker activity: Catch me if you can.
Walley, C. (2013). COUNS 721 Syllabus: Counseling interventions for children and adolescents.
Walley, C. (2013). Ice breaker information. Retrieved from https://bbhosted.cuny.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_50_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_859547_1%26url%3D
Berenback, E. & Wernham, F. (2013). Icebreaker activity: The me shield.
Di Stefano, A. & Mosenthal, K. (2013). Icebreaker activity: Worries in a hat.
Gentile, A. & Rosen, L. (2013). Ice breaker activity: Catch me if you can.
Walley, C. (2013). COUNS 721 Syllabus: Counseling interventions for children and adolescents.
Walley, C. (2013). Ice breaker information. Retrieved from https://bbhosted.cuny.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_50_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_859547_1%26url%3D