Student/Staff Snowball Fight

The snow may be melting outside but snowballs abound inside with this getting-to-know you activity.  I’ve used this in the classroom but it makes for a great ice-breaker at staff meetings.

**I’ve also used this to

1. anonymously exchange creative poetry and guess the author
2. energizingly share analysis (a great alternative for the kinesthetic learner) <
3. review for a quiz (I’ll have paper balls prepared ahead of time and give each student one; students must match answers to questions).

Snowball Fight

~ Each student is given a blank sheet of paper.

~ The teacher asks each student to write something such as the following on his/her paper:

• Share something about yourself that nobody in the room knows.
• Share a significant moment that touched your life as a student last year (or last semester).

~ The whole group is divided into two equal groups that stand in two single-file lines facing each other; individuals crumple their papers into a paper balls or snowball.

~ At the teacher’s signal, the groups throw their paper balls or at each other.

~ Students pick up the “snowballs” that land near them and throw them at others; they continue to keep the fight going until the teacher calls time.

~ Everyone picks up a paper ball, unravels it, and tries to find the person in the room to whom it belongs.  Once they locate that person, they engage in conversation about the information on the paper.  This is the part that can get a little loud, and the teacher may have to remind the students to use quieter, conversational tone to begin their productive sharings.  Usually, they’re so energized from the event, that they comply rather quickly.

~ Once rightful owners of paper balls have been identified and conversation takes place for approximately 5 – 10 minutes, the class meets as a whole group again.  The teacher may ask questions such as the following:

• What did you learn from this activity?
• What clues did you use to find the person who matched your paper ball?

Did you find this post useful?  Please take a moment to drop a comment below.  All input and suggestions are appreciated!

**adapted from ENGAGING STAFF MEETINGS BY Eller & Eller

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