Group Work Icebreakers

From science class to German class, working in small groups is an inevitable part of high school. And unfortunately, group work can turn into Uncomfortable Silence Work.

The minutes after the teacher explains the assignment are the most dangerous. Unless someone breaks the ice, you won't get anything done. And the faster you speak up, the more likely the other group members will fear and respect you as their leader. (And then you can just delegate responsibility to the other group members as you sit back and eat crackers.) To get the conversation rolling, we offer up the following icebreakers. Say any of the following:

1. "I heard that the teacher once killed a coyote in self defense."

2. "We should come up with a group name. How about 'The Red Barons' or 'The Barons Who Are Not Green'?"

3. "Do you think juggling was invented to entertain, or to cool down three hot eggs at once?"

4. "First things first. Who wants to be the Group Spy, and who wants to be the Goalie?"

5. "I would write everything down, but my S's look too obscene and they'll probably get us in trouble. Someone else should write."

6. "Does anyone have half a stick of gum? I don't think I could finish an entire stick."

7. "Blinking contest! Ready. Set. Go!" [Begin blinking furiously]

8. "I have a dog named Bill Cosby and a cat that is also named Bill Cosby. The cat is not named after the celebrity. She's named after the dog."

9. "Can I borrow someone's textbook? I sold mine and used the money to bribe the teacher into letting me join the best group." [Smile flirtatiously]

10. "Before we get started, I'm just going to guess that the outcome of this assignment is either 7.0892 mg., or Rutherford B. Hayes. Or both."

11. "I hope you were paying attention to the instructions, because I was too busy thinking up excuses I can use to avoid working. By the way, my appendix is leaking a little bit. I should go to the nurse."

12. "The key to working well with others is communicating…with our minds." [Stare at group members]

13. "If we can't finish this in class, we can always meet at my house…just don't stare at my grandma, or mention her dead conjoined twin that we call Aunt Floppy."

14. "I'm lefthanded. Just kidding. I totally had you there, for a minute. The look on your face is priceless."

15. "Shall we use ink, pencil, or chalk? If we use chalk, it will be easier to erase wrong answers, but harder to transport the paper in the rain or through gusty winds. Also, I do not have any chalk."

16. "Can we work on the floor? I work better on the floor. It makes me feel closer to China and Russia."

17. "When the teacher comes over here, one of you whisper, 'Walrus time. Walrus time. Everyone knows it's Walrus time.' And that will be the cue to start doing work. Let's have a practice, shall we? 'Walrus time. Walrus time…'"

18. "Isn't it odd that the number of letters in the alphabet is so very close to the number of teeth in our mouths? I think we should mention this somewhere in our presentation."

19. "Before we begin, let us hold hands…and then clothesline the group working behind us. Because that's how The Red Barons roll."

20. "We're just like the Breakfast Club. [Point to various group members] You can be the jock. You can be the princess. You can be the nerd. And I'll be the ninja."