Authentic Connection: One-Word Opener Activity

Inflexion June 22, 2023

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Icebreakers can be an effective way to help teams get to know each other and feel more comfortable collaborating.

– Jonathan Thompson

INTRO

While this activity functions as an icebreaker, it’s best for deeper team-building for established teams. This activity can reveal some surprising answers, with enlightening discussion to follow, which can easily segue into the meeting proper. Plus, starting out with small groups allows everyone the chance to participate in a meaningful way, which can boost their confidence about speaking up in the full session.

OBJECTIVES

Begin developing deeper, more authentic connections by getting the group comfortable sharing ideas and communicating with each other

Facilitate thoughtful reflection on school culture, curriculum, initiatives, etc.

RESOURCES

ARTICLE: 7 Icebreaker Games to Help Your Team Build Authentic Connections

OPENER ACTIVITY

Split participants into small teams of 3-4 people (using breakout rooms if you’re on Zoom) and ask them to come up with one word to describe your school culture or a project you’re working on or a new school initiative, etc.

Give them a few minutes to discuss amongst themselves, then let each team present their word, and the reasoning behind it

Categories: Rituals & Routines

Tags: 21st Century Leadership, Effective Leadership, Icebreaker Activity, Icebreakers, Inclusive Leadership, Inclusive Practices, Opener Activity, School Leaders, Team Building, Universal Practices

Inflexion

Resources We Love (And Hope You Will Too!)

During our May Counterpart meetings, we asked folks to share what they have been engaging with recently. Below is a list of all the resources shared by our incredible community, offering a taste of the diverse and inspiring content they’re currently exploring. This list has something for everyone: from thought-provoking articles to captivating podcasts to must-watch documentaries. So, take a peek, pick your poison, and get ready to dive into something fantastic!

Michelle Liebhardt June 5, 2024

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Case Study: Merced Union High School District

Through its work with Inflexion, MUHSD is seeing strong results in student outcomes and in closing the opportunity gap for underserved students. California School Dashboard data show College/Career Indicator scores for African American, Hispanic, English Learners, students with disabilities, students who are homeless, and students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are 16 to 29 points higher than the state average.

Inflexion June 9, 2020

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Passion. Pride. Promise. Two Leaders Help Pave the Way for Their Students & Communities

Tucked away in the hills of rural western Oregon, the Vernonia and Gaston school districts defy many of the stereotypes most of us hold when we think of rural schools. Their communities face both common and unique challenges. Vernonia Elementary Principal, Michelle Eagleson, and Gaston Superintendent, Summer Catino, share how their small schools and communities achieve greatness.

Vanessa Brazil October 25, 2022

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Build Unity Through Change: Engage Staff in Continuous Improvement Processes

Continuous improvement should be embedded in day-to-day work, in a systemized, organic way. You can think of the cyclical process as a formative assessment of the ideas being tested.

Inflexion June 7, 2023

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Family And Community Engagement (FACE): How To Get Started with Community School Development

So you’re familiar with community schools. You’re interested. But getting started can feel like the hardest part. While your own school/district’s path may ultimately differ from Anaheim Union School District’s, their example can help you begin mapping out where to start.

Inflexion April 19, 2023

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Snapshot of What’s Working: Multi-Tiered System of Support

Few large-scale policy initiatives speak to the potential of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) more so than the California Scale-Up Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Statewide Initiative—simply referred to as California MTSS.

Inflexion February 15, 2019

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A Source of Strength and Community: How Identity Keeps Santiam Canyon United Even When Everything Else is Falling Apart

Santiam Canyon Superintendent, Todd Miller, shares how their school district’s identity and maxims are a source of community and strength, especially when faced with unimaginable disaster.

Vanessa Brazil October 4, 2022

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Elementary teacher and students sit in a circle smiling and laughing.

Incorporate SEL in the Classroom: Engaging Strategies for Brain Breaks and Transitions

Educators and OST providers understand and believe in the power of SEL, but often seek clarity about how to demonstrate and observe SEL in action.
The Engaging Strategies and Brain Breaks are practical ways to introduce and broaden the use of SEL practices in classrooms, schools, and even workplaces.

Inflexion March 3, 2021

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Authentic Connection: True or False Opener Activity

While this activity functions as an icebreaker, it also serves the purpose of deeper team-building, even for more well-established teams. Not only does this help the group get to know each other better and swiftly reduce stress levels, but it also sparks immediate interaction – as the group comes together to root out the red herrings.

This activity is also known as two truths and a lie, and is one that students also enjoy (whether for getting to know each other or their teacher).

Inflexion June 22, 2023

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Black female teacher listening to a diverse group of high school students as they sit in a circle and share ideas.

Conduct Empathy Interviews: Elevating Student Voices, So You Can Understand and Support Them

Empathy Interviews provide an opportunity to really understand a student, or group of students, by diving deeper than the surface-level question, “How are you?” and receiving the typical response, “I’m fine.” These interviews inform intentional classroom and school-level action by elevating student voices and garnering a better understanding of student needs (SEL and well-being), and experiences (engagement). This resource provides step-by-step instructions on how to conduct an empathy interview.

Inflexion March 21, 2021

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INTRO

OBJECTIVES

RESOURCES

OPENER ACTIVITY

Related Articles

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