"Human Scavenger Hunt" activity. - To prepare, pick about 10-20 interesting characteristics and experiences and list them on a worksheet with a little underlined space next to each item. Next, have the students roam around the classroom asking each other to sign on the lines that relate to them. For example, some of your lines might be, "Went out of the country this summer" or "Has Brother" or "Likes pickles." So, if a student went to Mexico this summer, they can sign that line on other people's worksheets. I say that it's OK for each student to sign two of any other person's blank spaces.
The goal is to fill up your worksheet with signatures for each and every category. This may look like organized chaos, but I guarantee you the students will stay on task and have fun with this one. I participate, too, which gives them a real kick!
Two Truths and a Lie - At their desks, ask your students to write down three sentences about their lives (or their summer vacations). Two of the sentences should be true and one should be a fib.
For example, your statements could be:
This summer I went to Alaska
I have 5 little brothers.
My favorite food is brussel sprouts.
Next, have your class sit in a circle. Each person (including you, teacher!) gets a chance to share their three sentences. Then the rest of the class takes turns guessing which one is the lie. Obviously, the more realistic your lie (or mundane your truths), the harder time people will have figuring out the truth.