Who Are You Straws
By Caroline Wyman
Objective: The students will be able to pick out colored straws that all represent a different question about themselves in order to get to know each other a little better for the beginning of school. Grades K-4
Initiation: Read a story that has to do with the first day of school or about self feelings. Some examples might be "Curious George's First Day of School" by Margret Rey, "Tomorrow is the First Day of School" by Maureen MacDowell, or "A Bad Case of Stripes" by David Shannon. Discuss which ever book you choose.
Development: After the book discussion, have a variety of colored straws on hand for the students to pick from. Have each student pick out 2 or 3 different colors. Once everyone has their straws, have your list of questions ready according to the color of the straw. For example:
Red Straw: What is your favorite food?
Green Straw: What is your favorite color?
Purple Straw: What is your favorite movie?
Yellow Straw: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Blue Straw: Do you have any pets?
You can make up any questions that you want, but make sure that each student has 2 or 3 different colors so that they will have to answer 2 or 3 different questions. Start with one color and have every student that has that color one by one, answer their color specific question. Go through all of the colors until everyone has answered all of their questions. Lots of fun and a great way to know a little about each other.
Closure: Have students come up with their own color coded questions if time allows.
Materials: Straws, list of questions, first day of school book.
Time: 30min.
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.