Idea #3 Fun in 5 minutes or less

 I thought I would share some of my favorite ice breakers, conversation starters, esteem builders, friendship builders, social skill learning tools.  They are actually rolled in a few small items.  Let me tell you about some of my favorite games to play with students.  I have a breakfast club that comes in early to chat and eat.  I sit back yes and drink my coffee and we get off to a good start by playing a few rounds of:   SPOT IT   Demo of Spot It on-line.  This is a great game and certainly a brain teaser and a favorite.





No day would be complete without a rousing game of UNO.  I use this game all the time for teaching good game skills, solving conflicts, being a good sport and social skills 101.  I usually play the international rules.
1.  If you play a ZERO you can trade hands with anyone in the game.  You could have 25 cards and a team mate 2 cards.  The trade has to happen.
2. Jump In.  If you have the same number and color as a card just played you can break the play and JUMP IN. This makes the game super exciting.
3.  MY rule.. if I catch anyone cheating I give them two cards.
Here we have:
Harry Potter UNO
Sponge Bob SquarePants UNO
Marvel UNO
The BIG FISH UNO







We can't forget a quick game of CONNECT FOUR.  This is an oldie but goodie and I have some intense players.  We take turns with the morning challenge and play each other while we visit.  Connect Four can be found at any big box type store.

I have the oldest game in the world and it is my go to game for just about any issue that needs to be wrapped up and have a student sent off with a peaceful feeling.  Have you heard of MANCALA? This game just has 2-3 rules but it is addicting.  The directions are simple and you will want to play over and over.  It is easy for almost any age to play.  Counting is not really even required just a willingness to take turns.




And last but not least a cooperative game that has students helping each other to beat the clock.  It is a bit like concentration and requires students to work together to pair the matches and then guess what is behind the SECRET DOOR.  I found this game in a Child's Work/Child's Play catalog.