Team Building Classmate Memory Trays

This team building activity was inspired by a familiar baby shower game. Of all the games played at baby showers...grabbing baby pins in rice, stealing clothespins from shower guests, and wrapping toilet paper around the  mother to be, I must admit that the baby item memory tray game is my favorite.  I use this concept in my classroom as a get to know you activity at the beginning of the year, but it can also be used as a part of your star student recognition. Students bring in 15 small items that are special in some way to them to display on a memory tray. The tray is passed around to classmates as they study and memorize the items.

Once the tray is out of sight, give students a {classmate memory tray worksheet} to fill out. Afterwards the star student gets to share about the items. I used to always do "Me Bag" sharing at the start of school, but this now takes its place. The classmate memory trays build classmate connections as well as recall and memory skills.  Can't beat that! Want more Back to School ideas? Pop on over to Fun in First's blog.

Do you have some great team building activities you use throughout the school year? It could be get to know you ideas, esteem builders, or ways to cultivate a caring classroom.                                         

***Join my Classroom Team Building Linky Party***

The first 3 ANY blogger to link up with their idea and also blog about my linky will get a free copy of my classmate memory tray activity. Start that linking up!