Break the Ice: The First Day

By Dr. Krista Klocke

The first day of class is often filled with excitement and some nervousness (for students and instructors!). Rather than treating this first meeting as just a “syllabus review,” approach the first day as a chance to set expectations and classroom environment for the semester and consider ways to build community from day one.

We know that particularly for first-year students, creating connections and relationships is a cornerstone of success in college, which can be done with an icebreaker activity to meet their classmates and with a learning activity to start focusing on the course topic.

Start with a Making-Connections Ice Breaker

Build community with an icebreaker! Ask students to respond to one or two of the following prompts to help them start making connections with one another.

• Share a favorite moment from this summer like a road trip or finding the best ice cream.
• Share their favorite meal, band, video game, or movie.
• Share what you would do on a perfect day with money as no object.

Energize with a Learning Activity

Having students reflect on why they’re in the course, how they will grow, and what they will gain, encourages students to approach the course with a growth mindset. You may ask students to respond to the following questions: (1) Name and major, (2) Write 1-3 goals you have for the semester (things you’d like to learn; skills you’d like to develop), and (3) Dream job.

• Face-to-face class: Share with a partner or in a small group (variation: have students introduce their partner to the class using this information).
• Large class: Turn-to-your partner with a TopHat response to create a word cloud or other report-out.
• Online class: Respond in a discussion post within Canvas or a chat within MS Teams.

CELT Resources

For more ideas to get you started, explore the resources on the CELT website for engagement strategies. Check out our upcoming workshops and events in our calendar. To set up a teaching consultation, email celt-help@iastate.edu with your request.

Do you have another favorite community-building activity for day 1? Share your idea with Krista Klocke! (klklocke@iastate.edu).

Finally, explore CELT’s resource on 10 (more) Ideas for a Great First Day of Class. This document will help get you started with more ideas, from classroom management, to setting course expectations, to having some fun; all to help build community and alleviate concerns experienced by you and your students. Have a great first week of the semester!

Resources/Works Consulted

Nunn, L. M. (2019). 33 simple strategies for faculty: A week-by-week resource for teaching first-year and first-generation students. Rutgers University Press. (ISU Library Digital Resource Online Access)

Zakrajsek, T. D., and Nilson, L. B. (2023). Teaching at its best: A research-based resource for college instructors. Jossey-Bass. (ISU Library Digital Resource Online Access)