Community Building: Check-Ins

This page contains examples of check-ins you can use to build community with your students.

NOTE: We use the term check-in instead of icebreaker to connote a professional working relationship with students.

One Word

Choose one word that describes you today.

Example: excited, exhausted, spunky

Five Nouns

List five nouns that describe who you are.

Example: student, mother, international student, kayaker

Where Are You on the Train?

Choose which number applies to you and share why.

Blob Tree

Choose which "blob" represents you and share why.

NOTE: You can utilize this check-in for a variety of topics.

Pictures

Roses and Thorns

What are your roses? (something positive going on that day) What are the thorns? (something prickly you are having to work through)

Source: https://www.edutopia.org/article/simple-powerful-class-opening-activity

12th Most Current Picture on Phone

Choose the 12th picture in your camera feed on your phone. Check-in with your group and talk about the significance of this picture.

Dream Job

Other than what you currently might do, what would your dream job be?

Sunshine and Clouds

What are your clouds? What is your sunshine?

Window Pane

Students complete a window pane chart together using a collaborative document.

Take a look at the examples below.

NOTE: You can use some of the questions individually for a check-in activity as well.

This or That

A check-in where students much choose between two options.

Example: Sweet or savory? Early morning or late night? Winter or summer?

Soundtrack of Your Life

Think of a song that has contributed to who you are today. It can be something that connects with your identity or connects with some moment in your life.

Compassionate Connections

These questions lead us to listen deeply to the data of our lives. These questions help us pay attention to our mental state, our body responses and our emotions.

Questions:

  • In the last 7 days, what is one thing you wish had been easier?

  • In the last 7 days, where did you see hope?


or

  • In the last week, what has brought you life?

  • In the last week, what took life away?


Additional Examples:

  • For what moment today am I most grateful? For what moment today am I least grateful?

  • When did I give and receive the most love today? When did I give and receive the least love today?

  • What was the most life-giving part of my day? What was the most life-thwarting part of my day?

  • When today did I feel most contented, most like myself? When today did I feel the most discontented, uncomfortable, and the least like myself?

Equity Unbound

Check out all of the community building activities at the following link:

Equity Unbound Community Building Activities