Put the students in a large circle standing up. Join the circle yourself with a plastic, colorful ball. The object of the activity is for everyone to start by just saying their name and then passing the ball to another student. Once everyone in the circle has said their name, have them tell everyone something that they enjoy doing, such as a hobby or sport. To find out a little more about your students, you might also ask them what their favorite subject is.
Stand in the middle of a large circle of students with a large, round balloon. On the blackboard, write the names of all of the students in the class. Have each student focus on a name. Toss the balloon in the air and call out one of the names on the board. That person must rush to the center of the circle, catch the balloon, then call out another name on the blackboard, toss the balloon and step back in the circle while the person whose name was called retrieves the balloon.
Have your young students select from a number of cards that you provide with a picture of an animal on each. Each student should pick out his or her favorite animal card and then drop it into a hat without telling anyone else what the card is. Once all of the students have dropped their cards into the hat, call names out of your roll book and have each student draw the picture of an animal and try to guess whose favorite animal it is. It is not important whether the student gets it right; what is important is that the student who the card belongs to stands and gives his name and talks about why he likes that type of animal and that the students get to know one another. You can make the activity more interesting and give out party favors to those students who do guess correctly. You can also provide clues as to who the card belongs to, if you wish.
At the open house before school begins, send a note and paper bag home with parents. In the note, ask that students fill the bag with five items that they feel best shows who they are, or what their interests are, such as a small ball if they like sports or a video tape if they like movies. Then, on the first day of school, have the students open their bags and talk to the class about what they have brought and why.