#156: Why forced icebreakers don’t build trust or community (and what does)

What's in this episode

In this episode, I’m giving you a front-row seat to how I break the ice with my classes without forcing kids (or me!) into anything awkward, loud, or fake. Whether you’ve got a class full of students with complex needs, or just want something low-stakes and actually useful — this is the episode for you. I’m walking you through the exact back-to-school icebreakers I’ve used for years with huge success. These are tried-and-tested with mainstream AND complex classrooms — and they do more than just "get to know you." They start building classroom culture from day one. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why traditional icebreakers often flop, and what to do instead How to balance fun, structure, and behaviour foundations from lesson one My 3 go-to first-day activities (that double as classroom management tools) What I do instead of “stand up and introduce yourself” 😬 How to make a class playlist that builds community (and teaches expectations!) The icebreaker games I use with students who are not here for your card sort Resources mentioned: The Back to School Bootcamp: https://www.the-unteachables.com/backtoschoolbootcamp Join the Behaviour Club: https://www.the-unteachables.com/tbc The Ba