Core Samples
Core samples are fascinating columns of rock and mineral cut from deep below the earth's surface with a drill. They are marbled with shades of color. This activity helps students to identify their own core values, much like core samples.
Me And We: We are All Similar and Different
In this activity, students explore the ways we are all similar and different.
Justice on the Bumper
On a daily basis, we encounter disturbing, startling, discomforting, angering, humorous, ironic, sarcastic, irreverent, uplifting and insightful words and images related to social justice.
Dinner for Two
At the beginning of each term, in junior- and senior-level courses, I have my students get to know each other.
Collective Poetry
Collective poetry is an exercise designed to encourage students to work from a shared pattern in order to join their voices in a collective rhythm.
Classroom Community Building
Activities for all grades to build community in your class this year.
Borders and Boundaries
Photocopy or create a large map of the school, including the school grounds and the cafeteria. Then have students identify places that cliques or self-segregating groups gather.
Stay in the Mix for Valentine's Day
Celebrate Valentine's legacy of love and resistance!
Stay in the Mix with Music!
Explore how music divides - and unites.
Stay in the Mix During National Poetry Month!
How to use the written word to highlight, and counteract, social boundaries.
Put-Ups
Students are used to put-downs, but what about put-ups? This activity helps students see the positive things that their schoolmates are doing and gives them skills to affirm each other across social boundaries.
Elementary Mapping Activity
Classroom climate dramatically affects students’ lives on a daily basis. We know that a teacher can set the mood of the classroom, but so can students, through the ways they interact with each other. This sociogram helps students see their patterns of interaction and offers them opportunities to mix it up.
Romeo and Juliet Mix-It-Up
Shakespeare’s classic play is a must-read for all high school students. Might the tragic end of Romeo & Juliet have been different if the Montagues and the Capulets had crossed their social boundaries?
Boundary Crossing
Have we really learned how to break down barriers?
A New Set of Rules
Create a classroom constitution as the school year kicks off.
Peaceful Lessons from Peaceful Leaders: Tri-Leadership
This shortest month of the year is typically filled with history reports, pageants, guest speakers, cultural fairs and the like. Seldom a day goes by that we don't hear the names of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Madame C.J. Walker, George Washington Carver, and so on.
Peaceful Lessons from Peaceful Leaders: I'm A Leader, Too!
February is a time often reserved for the celebration of past leaders and visionaries who fought peacefully and intellectually to provide us with more opportunities for a more privileged future.
Social Boundaries Activity: Map It Out
Teachers and students draw maps showing where they think social divisions exist at school, and compare views of the community as a whole.
Buddies (Lunch Day Mixer)
Based on Musical Chairs
It’s About Me (Lunch Day Mixer)
Loosely based on "What Are You?"
What’s Your Name? (Lunch Day Mixer)
Based on Crossing Borders/Border Crossings and What's In a Name?"
Fact or Fiction (Lunch Day Mixer)
Based on Icebreakers and Introductions
Building Sentences and Stories (Lunch Day Mixer)
Students sit at tables with students they don’t usually sit with.
Making New Friends (Lunch Day Mixer)
Based on Musical Chairs
What Do We Have in Common? (Lunch Day Mixer)
Excerpted from http://adulted.about.com/od/icebreakers/qt/2minutemixer.htm