Classroom Icebreaker / Getting to Know You Activity: Venn Diagrams

Venn diagrams can be used as an icebreaker to help students get acquainted at the beginning of the school year. I have also used Venn diagrams as a team-building activity when beginning a group project. Venn diagrams are a simple, low-prep yet effective way to help your students get to know one another.

The format is very simple. You can use a two-circle Venn diagram for pairs or a three-circle Venn diagram for groups of three. When beginning a group project with teams larger than three students, you can break students into smaller groups and pairs. Whether I plan to have students work with a partner or in a small group, I always prepare a few copies of the alternative form of the Venn diagram in case the number of students present that day is not divisible by two/three.

After I tried having students draw the Venn diagrams themselves, I found that giving them copies of pre-made Venn diagrams works best because it is tricky to draw intersecting circles with spaces large enough to write. I have either drawn the circles myself to photocopy or found Venn diagrams online.

To begin the activity, ask each student to write his/her/their name just outside of one of the circles. Partners and groups of three talk about themselves- their interests, families, backgrounds, likes, and dislikes. In the space where the circles intersect, they write the things they have in common. Students note ways in which they are unique in the area where the circles don’t intersect.

Keep in mind that some students will begin conversing without much prompting, while others will need a little support. It can help to write suggested topics (favorite foods, hobbies, talents, number of siblings, pets, etc.) on the board and circle around to prompt students as they work.

When students finish, you may want to have them share with the class what they have learned about one another. I often ask pairs and groups to share one way in which they are alike, and one thing that made each student unique.

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