The meeting began with an engaging warmer activity to set a positive and welcoming tone. Participants were invited to share one word that described how they felt at the moment and briefly explain why. This icebreaker helped foster a sense of connection and readiness to collaborate.

Warmer: "Tear a Snowflake"

Objective: Foster creativity, collaboration, and a lighthearted atmosphere to start the session.

Materials:

• One piece of paper per participant (preferably square or A4).
• Optional: Blindfolds (to make it more challenging).

Instructions:

1. Introduce the activity:
   • Begin by telling participants they’ll be creating unique snowflakes through paper tearing.
   • Emphasize that there are no right or wrong ways to do this—it’s about having fun and expressing creativity.
2. The Twist:
   • Ask participants to close their eyes or wear a blindfold while tearing the paper.
   • They are not allowed to peek until their snowflake is complete.
3. Step-by-Step Tearing:
   • Guide participants to fold their paper in half (diagonally or any way they like).
   • Instruct them to make several tears along the edges and middle, imagining their design without seeing it.
   • Encourage them to take creative risks!
4. Reveal and Share:
   • After a couple of minutes, ask everyone to open their eyes and unfold their snowflakes.
   • Have participants display their creations and share one word or phrase that describes their snowflake or their experience while making it (e.g., "unique," "fun," "messy").
5. Optional Reflection:
   • Relate the activity to the session’s theme (e.g., Social and Emotional Learning):
     • "Each snowflake is unique, just like our students, and this diversity makes our classrooms special."
     • "The process of creating without seeing can remind us to let go of perfection and enjoy the journey."

This activity energizes the group, breaks the ice, and sparks creativity while subtly reinforcing themes of individuality and embracing imperfection.

Share

Next, the focus shifted to a sharing session where teachers reflected on their summer relaxation strategies. Each participant shared an action point on what helped them unwind during the break, such as spending time in nature, practicing mindfulness, engaging in creative hobbies, or traveling. This segment encouraged self-awareness and demonstrated the importance of maintaining emotional well-being.

Discuss