Icebreakers are a good way to start a class. They help people relax and get to know each other. They are also a good way to introduce or reinforce teaching concepts. We found a fun holiday game on Pinterest (and at this link), and decided to adapt it for an “anyday” cooking class.
The original idea was to give participants a paper plate and ask them to put it on their head and use a pen or a pencil to draw a holiday scene (on the plate, on top of their head). The instructions were simple (from the site linked above):
1. Draw a line for a floor.
2. Draw a Christmas Tree. Add decorations if you feel so inclined.
3. Draw a star on top of your tree.
4. Draw a fireplace with a mantel next to the tree.
5. Draw a stocking hanging from the mantel of your fireplace.
6. Draw a present below the tree.
After the six steps have been given, let everyone look at their plates.
<<Insert lots of laughing and revelry as people share their ridiculous drawings.>>
Then have players count up how many points they received by following this rubric:
1. 2 points if the tree touches the floor.
2. 2 points if your stocking is touching your mantel.
3. 1 point if your star touches your tree.
4. 1 point if your star is above your tree.
5. 1 point for every Christmas ornament ball that is ON your tree, etc.
6. 1 point if your fireplace doesn’t touch the tree (it’s a fire hazard!).
7. 1 point if you actually drew something decorative on your stocking (or something cute, like a tiny kitten peeking out).
8. 2 points if your present is under your tree.
So… to adapt it for cooking class and introducing or reinforcing MyPlate concepts, we instructed participants to draw a MyPlate, label the sections, and put some fruits and vegetables on it. Then, we gave points for having the sections labeled correctly, having the dairy section touch the plate, having fruits and vegetables in the right sections, and bonus points if the fork was included.
Fun was had by all! 🙂