Back to School “Snowball” Fight

Starting a new school year can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for students. Ice breakers are a fantastic way to help students feel comfortable and build a sense of community from day one.

One of the most engaging and memorable activities is the Back to School “Snowball” Fight!

This activity not only gets students up and moving but also helps them learn interesting facts about their classmates in a fun and interactive way.

But this snowball fight can be more than just a fun ice breaker.

It can also serve as an excellent opener to a more important conversation about classroom expectations and how we can create a positive and respectful learning environment together.

By linking this energetic activity to discussions about behavior and respect, you can set the stage for a productive and harmonious school year.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Snowball Fight

Materials Needed:

• Paper (one sheet per student)
• Pens or pencils

Instructions:

1. Write Facts: Have each student take out a sheet of notebook paper and write three interesting but not widely known facts about themselves. Ensure they do not write their names on the papers.
2. Crumple the Paper: Once the facts are written, students should crumple up their papers into balls.
3. Snowball Fight: Have a “snowball” fight by letting students throw the paper balls around the room for about 30 seconds to a minute.
4. Collect Snowballs: After the time is up, have each student pick up one snowball (paper ball) from the floor.
5. Find the Match: Students will then uncrumple the paper and try to find the classmate whose facts they have.

Extension Activities

Sharing Facts:

• Have each student read the facts on their paper aloud to the class.
• After reading, the student who the facts are about stands up and goes next. Continue until everyone has shared.

Second Round:

• Repeat the activity with the same facts to see if students remember each other’s facts.
• Alternatively, have students write three new facts and do a second snowball fight.

Now Let’s Make the Snowball Fight Even More Meaningful!

Use the Snowball Fight as a segue to creating a classroom treatment agreement.

A Classroom “Treatment Agreement” helps establish a positive and respectful learning environment. It sets the tone for how students and teachers will interact with each other throughout the school year.

By linking this agreement to a fun activity like the “Snowball Fight,” you can make the concept more engaging and memorable for your students.

Reflecting on the Activity

Discussion Starter:

• After the snowball fight activity, gather students in a circle or at their desks.
• Begin by asking, “Did anything go wrong during our snowball fight? What could have been better?”
• Allow students to share their thoughts and experiences. Encourage them to be honest about any issues, such as too much noise, rough behavior, or not listening to instructions.

Identify Areas for Improvement:

• Discuss how these issues could have been prevented. For example, if students mentioned too much noise, you could ask, “How could we have made sure everyone kept the noise level down?”
• Relate these suggestions to general classroom behavior. For example, you might say, “Just like we needed to be mindful of our noise level during the snowball fight, we need to be mindful of it during our regular class time too.”

Introduce the Concept of a Treatment Agreement:

• Explain that having a Classroom “Treatment Agreement” can help prevent issues and create a better learning environment. You might say, “A Treatment Agreement is like a set of promises we make to each other to ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and ready to learn.”
• Let students know that throughout the year, you plan to have many fun and exciting activities, but these can only happen when everyone behaves appropriately. Just like the snowball fight might have gotten too wild, it’s important to always think about how we treat each other, the teacher, and guests in our classroom.
• Let students know that you’ll be working together to create this agreement and that their input is valuable.

Make Your Back to School Snowball Fight One to Remember!

The Back to School “Snowball” Fight is more than just an engaging ice breaker—it’s a versatile activity that can be adapted to fit various subjects and themes, making it a valuable tool for any classroom.

Additionally, using this activity as a springboard for discussing classroom expectations and creating a Classroom “Treatment Agreement” helps set a positive tone for the year. It encourages students to reflect on their behavior and understand the importance of respect and cooperation, both during fun activities and in their everyday interactions.

Remember, a successful school year begins with a strong sense of community and mutual respect.

With the snowball fight activity, you’re not only breaking the ice but also laying the foundation for a supportive and dynamic classroom environment. Here’s to a great start to the school year and many fun, meaningful activities ahead!

For more detailed steps and ideas on creating a Classroom “Treatment Agreement,” check out our post Create a Back to School Treatment Agreement with Your Students.