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Let’s be honest: traditional ice breaker activities can be… painful. You know the ones—“Say your name and your favorite color” or “Find someone who has the same birth month.” Cue the eye rolls, fake smiles, and minimal engagement from the room.

If you’re anything like me, you love building classroom community—but you dread starting the year with ice breakers that feel more forced than fun.

That’s exactly why I created this Sports Hexagonal Thinking Ice Breaker—a hands-on, high-engagement activity that gets your students thinking, connecting, and actually talking to each other. Bonus: it sets the tone for collaborative discussions all year long.

What Is Hexagonal Thinking?

Hexagonal Thinking is a flexible thinking strategy where students connect ideas—represented on hexagons—and explain the reasoning behind those connections. Think of it as the perfect blend of discussion, collaboration, and critical thinking, all while students are actively moving and talking.

💡 Curious what it looks like in action? Check out this quick Edutopia video to see it in a real classroom

Why This Back-to-School Ice Breaker Works

Unlike typical get-to-know-you games, this Hexagonal Thinking activity gives students something to hold, move, and connect—making it perfect for all types of learners, including hands-on and visual thinkers.

It’s not just about chatting—it’s about:

• Building deeper connections
• Practicing academic discussion norms
• Supporting social-emotional learning
• Giving every student a chance to speak (yes, even the shy ones!)

Whether you’re teaching in a traditional classroom, a homeschool co-op, or a hybrid setting, this discussion activity is a no-prep, high-impact way to start your year.

Welcome! I’m Carrie from Learnminded – Sharing Real Teaching Resources for Real Teachers

I’m a classroom teacher with 15 years of experience, a master’s degree in education, and certification as a reading specialist. I’ve spent over a decade in the trenches of elementary classrooms—navigating fire drills, mystery smells, last-minute assemblies, and the never-ending hunt for working dry erase markers.

This blog is my space to share teaching resources for teachers who want less stress and more impact. Everything you’ll find here has been tested in a real classroom (with actual students who ask “Is this graded?” mid-lesson). From printable activities and time-saving lesson plans, to classroom management tips and teaching strategies that actually work—my goal is to help you teach smarter, not harder.

If you’re looking for:

• Classroom ideas that won’t take all weekend to prep
• Lesson plans that are both engaging and standards-aligned
• Teaching tips from someone who gets what it’s like in the classroom
• Or just a teacher who’s been there, done that, and turned it into a resource…

…you’re in the right place.

Whether you teach in-person, online, or somewhere in between, I’m here to provide the teacher resources you need to make your job just a little bit easier (and maybe even fun).

So grab your caffine of choice, hide your good pens, and let’s tackle this teaching thing together—one sarcastic smile and resource at a time