TheApple

I guess this might depend on the grade level you teach, but my 6th graders had fun with the Name Game.  Perhaps you know it?  If not, essentially the kids stand in a large circle, you included.  (I'd suggest you go last.)  If that is the case, the person to your right states his/her first name.  The person to his/her right states the first person's name, then his/her own. And so on, and so on.  So, everyone must be very attentive to be successful when it's their turn.  Of course, those closest to you on your left will be a bit nervous, given they'll have so  many names to remember, but amazingly, it works, and most kids have some fun.

I've also done this next introductory activity in PD.  We partnered up and had roughly five minutes for each of us to ask the other basic questions about themselves.  After the ten minute activity was over, pairs presented their partner to the whole group, sharing the details they shared with you.

Hope this helped!  --akc3577 

I try to make learning the rules of my classroom more fun.  I am lucky enough to have an interactive whiteboard in my classroom and I use www.jigsawplanet.com to create interactive jigsaw puzzles of my rules.  I split the class into teams and they race to see which team can complete the puzzle in the least amount of time.  After a puzzle is completed we discuss the rule on the puzzle.  A great way to keep the kiddos from tuning out during classroom rules.