Mascot Pass
A weekly recognition tradition that keeps appreciation moving all year long.
5 min
This or That Icebreaker
A get-on-your-feet icebreaker where staff vote on fun "this or that" prompts.
Alissa Christensen
A get-on-your-feet icebreaker where staff vote on fun "this or that" prompts by moving to opposite sides of the room. No materials needed beyond the printable signs. Takes five minutes and works for any group size.
Why try it
This or That gets people out of their seats and into a quick, low-stakes conversation at the start of a meeting. The side-of-the-room voting format means everyone participates at the same time, which makes it easy for quieter staff to join in without having to speak up first.
The prompts also double as a way to learn something real about your team. School-themed questions (grading assignments vs. writing lesson plans, digital vs. physical materials) reveal how your staff thinks and works, which can be useful information for a leader to have.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Things you'll need
Printable "This" and "That" signs
Optional: Projector or display screen
Instructions
1
Set up and introduce
Designate one side of the room as "This" and the other as "That," post the printable signs, and let staff know they'll vote with their feet by moving to whichever side matches their preference.
2
Read the prompts
Display or read each prompt aloud. Staff move to their chosen side after each one. Aim for 5-10 prompts to keep the energy up without dragging it out.
3
Invite a share-out
After each prompt (or a few), ask one or two people to share why they chose their side. Keep it quick and low-pressure.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Staff meeting opener
Run 5 prompts at the top of your next staff meeting to get people settled and connected before the agenda starts.
Team-specific round
Create a custom set of prompts tailored to your school's current focus (new curriculum rollout, schedule change, upcoming event) to spark a relevant conversation in a low-stakes way.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Mix light and meaningful
Start with easy, playful prompts (coffee or tea, beach or mountains) before moving into work-related ones.
Leader Tip #2
Note what you learn
The staff-focused prompts can surface useful information. If most of your team prefers one-on-one collaboration over group meetings, that is worth knowing.
Leader Tip #3
Use the student version
The download includes a separate set of prompts for classroom use. Hand it off to teachers who want a quick community-builder with their students.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
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