If you are looking for a cursory introduction that does not take much time or put much pressure on brand new students, you would be wise to stick to the basics. Simply ask kids to go around the room and answer a series of questions one by one. Easy to answer, fact-based questions work best, such as name, age and number of siblings. Every student can respond to these icebreaker prompts and kids will likely be delighted to discover that they have a lot in common with their peers.
Get kids to loosen up and laugh a little by asking them silly icebreaker questions. "If you could have only one super power, what would it be, and why?" "What's the weirdest dream you ever had?" "If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be?" These lighthearted icebreakers help kids to forget their fears in new environments, and they help to showcase the cute quirks that make each child unique and intriguing.
"Would you rather" questions break the ice, while at the same time helping kids to develop their critical thinking skills. "Would you rather... be a giant ant or a tiny elephant?" "Would you rather... be able to only whisper or only shout?" "Would you rather... have giant teeth or no teeth at all?" Be ready for kids to disagree with each other over the answers to scenario icebreakers. Keep the discussion light and moving forward. Also, make sure that everyone gets a chance to be heard.
These icebreaker questions allow kids to mix and mingle in a loosely structured manner. Call out one simple question at a time. Have children walk around and get into clusters with kids that come up with the same answer they do. Phrase questions in a manner that ensures no child gets left out of a group. For example, instead of asking, "How many siblings do you have?" ask, "Do you have zero siblings, one sibling, or more than one sibling?" This icebreaker helps kids to gain a sense of belonging in the classroom; it also helps to work out nervous energy in a positive way.