Two Truths and a Lie
An Icebreaker Activity for Middle and High School
(ten minute version or 25 minute version)

• Start by modeling the process by telling two truths and a lie (preferably something that could plausibly be true) about yourself. Ex statements such as:
  I have two children.
  I once won a pie-eating contest.
  When I was ten, I hated science.
• Allow the class to guess which is the lie.
  Allow about a minute for every student to think of two truths and a lie about himself/herself.
• Have the students form groups of four, preferably with people they do not know well (or assign at random). They should sit together for the remainder of the activity.
• Within each group, students mst first learn each other’s names. Then they are to tell each other two things that are true about themselves and one that is a lie (preferably something that MIGHT be true). The others in the group must determine which the lie is.  Allow about five to six minutes for the groups to complete this.
• Tell each group they must choose two of the truths about the members of their group and one lie to share with the class. Have them write them down legibly. For example: One member of our group once traveled to Russia, one member… etc.

(Ten minute version stops here)

Ten minute version conclusion:
Ask if the class found out any surprises through this process, then proceed to rest of the “truths” about the course, etc. Perhaps throw in one “lie” to keep them attentive.
 Teacher can post some of the results on class web page, bulletin board, or as the fact of the day on the blackboard for the next week or two.

Continuing (longer version):

• Have the groups report back to the class and allow other groups to guess which were the truths and lie from each group. Once the truth is known, each group should tell the names of all members and which person the truths are about.
• After all groups have reported and been guessed, if there is time compose as a class:
• Two truths and a lie about the class as a whole
  (Ex. In Mrs. Jones’ 4th period class, one person…. and another person ….)

or

• What they believe to be two truths and a lie about the subject they will be studying (Ex. Biology will involve memorizing tons of Latin words.)
• POST the whole-class truths and lies on a bulletin board for the first month of school and revisit them, if appropriate. You could even ask which of their preconceived "truths" about the class have proven to be "lies" and vice versa.

Trivia Quiz
An Icebreaker Activity for High School

Here are a few questions which should "loosen up" even the more jaded high school student. You can copy/paste them into a handout or simply project on a screen.
(Hint: use the window shade tool on your interactive whiteboard to reveal questions one at a time)

If they're a competitive group, see scoring below.

 

1. On a standard traffic light, is the green on the top or bottom?

2. How many states are there? ( don't laugh, some people don't know)

3. In which hand is the Statue of Liberty's torch?

4. What 6 colors are on the classic Campbell's soup label?

5. What 2 letters don't appear on the telephone dial? (no cheating!)

6. What 2 #'s don't have letters by them?

7. When you walk does your left arm swing w/ you right or left leg?

8. How many matches are in a standard pack?

9. On our flag, is the top stripe red or white?

10. What is the lowest # on the FM dial?

11. Which way does water go down the drain, counter- or clockwise?

12. Which way does a "no smoking" sign's slash run?

13. How many channels on a VHF TV dial?

14. Which side of a women's blouse are the buttons on?

15. On a NY license plate, is New York on the top or bottom?

16. Which way do fans rotate?

17. Whose face is on a dime?

18. How many sides does a stop sign have?

19. Do books have even # pages on the right or left side?

20. How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?

21. How many sides are there on a standard pencil?

22. Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who's missing?

23. How many hot dog buns are in a standard package?

25. On which playing card is the cardmaker's trademark?

26. On which side of a venetian blind is the cord that adjusts the opening between the slats?

27. On the back of a dollar bill, what is in the center?

28. There are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. What 2 symbols bear no digits?

29. How many curves are in a standard paper clip?

30. Does a merry-go-round turn clockwise or counterclockwise?
    

Answers

   1. Bottom
   2. 50
   3. right
   4. blue, red, white, yellow, black, and gold
   5. Q, Z
   6. 1,0
   7. left
   8. 20
   9. red
   10. 88
   11. Actually, it depends on the plumbing fixture. The notion that the water direction varies with the hemisphere you are in has been disproved!
   12. towards bottom right
   13. 12 ( no #1)
   14. right
   15. top
   16. clockwise as you look at it
   17. Roosevelt
   18. 8 What about the front side and back side? I think it also could be 10.
   19. left
   20. 5
   21. 6
   22. Bashful
   23. 6
   24. did you notice there wasn't one?
   25. Ace of spades
   26. Left
   27. ONE
   28. *, #
   29. 3
   30. counterclockwise

  
Scoring

   30-28 Mensa is calling, genius
   25-27 Not too shabby
   20-24 You could do better
   16-19 McDonald's is calling ( would you like fries w/ that?)
   15 or below...Wake up!

---

Want to see more ideas?

More lesson plans

See a full list of reviewed resources ideal for first day activities.