In the age of remote learning and digital classrooms, sparking conversations among middle school students can be quite challenging. Fortunately, there are many engaging digital get-to-know-you activities that can foster camaraderie and bridge the gap between students. Here are 21 innovative ideas to help middle school students bond and learn more about their classmates:
1. Digital Bingo – Customize a digital bingo card with interesting facts or hobbies and have students find peers who share those attributes.
2. Virtual Escape Room – Students work together to solve puzzles and complete activities in breakout rooms.
3. Two Truths and a Lie – Each student shares two true statements and one false statement about themselves while classmates guess which one is a lie.
4. All About Me Slideshow – Students create a slideshow sharing personal stories, likes and dislikes, family, pets, or hobbies.
5. Avatars – Use online tools to let students create their own avatars that represent them in the digital classroom.
6. Video Diary – Have students record daily or weekly video diaries where they can express their thoughts, feelings, or experiences with the class.
7. Virtual Show-and-Tell – Students present an item of significance via video conferencing or recorded videos.
8. Icebreaker Poll – Quick polls asking light-hearted questions that generate group discussions.
9. Collaborative Collage – Students contribute images, photos, or drawings to represent themselves on an online collaborative board like Padlet or Mural.
10. Social Media Challenge – Create classroom-specific online challenges (e.g., TikTok dances) that encourage class camaraderie through friendly competition.
11. Creative Storytelling – Have students complete a story based on given story starters by taking turns writing one sentence at a time in an online document.
12. Time Capsule Exercise – Students write letters to themselves detailing their current interests, goals, or fears which will be shared with the class at the end of the year.
13. Book Buddies – Pair students randomly for an online book club discussion.
14. Online Scavenger Hunt – Provide a list of items or clues that require students to search online and submit screenshots as proof of finding them.
15. Class Playlist – Create a collaborative playlist where each student contributes one song that they feel represents their personality.
16. Virtual Journaling – Have students maintain an online journal to share reflections and experiences with one another.
17. Digital Vision Board – Students create a digital vision board outlining their goals and dreams using platforms like Canva or Pinterest.
18. Six-Word Memoirs – Challenge students to summarize their lives or personalities in just six words.
19. Kahoot! Quiz – Use Kahoot! to create a fun quiz on classroom content or personal facts about classmates, teachers, or school staff.
20. Online Pictionary – Play a digital version of Pictionary using tools like skribbl.io or Drawasaurus.
21. Virtual Pen Pals – Pair students with a global partner for digital discussions about culture, hobbies, and daily life experiences.
These 21 digital get-to-know-you activities offer middle school students an opportunity to build connections and establish strong friendships despite being physically apart. Become inspired by these ideas, explore their potential, and foster a digital classroom community that thrives on mutual understanding and support.
