Every school year, I love to get to know students using a little project called Me Bags. I used to use a box, but regardless, students are given the task of finding 6-8 items that tell about themselves. They fill the bag and we take time for each student to share more about what they like, who is important to them, and some of their favorite things.
On the first day of school, I share my bag. I tell about my family, I talk about my interests, and some of my favorite things. As we establish relationships, I feel it is important to model being open and sharing with my students. I have learned how much students enjoy learning about their teachers. My students know my favorite animal is the giraffe and I love the color turquoise. Little things shared can start to build connections.
As each student shares, we as a class get to know them a little bit. What is their favorite game? Who is in their family? I have had students in the past who struggled not to bring their entire collection of toys because they were so excited to share. That is why I give them a small bag. :) They can include pictures or small objects and they have to be selective.
This is a great opportunity to not only get to know each other, but also to practice speaking clearly and being active listeners. After a student shares, there is an opportunity for classmates to ask questions about what was shared. This is always a learning experience as we practice the skill of asking questions versus making statements. For example, “I have that same toy.” can be adjusted to “Who gave you that toy?” or “Why is that your favorite toy?” It is a way that I also like to establish a community of respect as we listen and respond to each other. This is one of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the school year! If you are interested in doing this with your class, check out my product here at TPT. This is a great activity to do at any point, not just the beginning of the year. It can also be used with clubs or groups as a way to learn about each other.
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