how to add students to assignments in teams

How to Post Assignments to Specific Channels in Teams

Sara Wanasek

Keeping your students organized and on top of their work can get a little chaotic – especially when there is a mix of digital and paper assignments. When working within Microsoft Teams , the General Channel is the default for posting any assignments and updates to students. This leads to a messy Channel if you are posting often. However, we can help you to stay more organized and fix this up – try to post assignments to specific channels instead.

If you have assignments for specific units or groups of students, you can now post these notifications on that specific channel. Unfortunately, Teams doesn’t allow you to do this for private channels, so make sure they are open! If you do have an assignment that is only for a few specific students, you will have to assign the work to them separately. We go through how to post assignments to specific channels and students below. If you are ready to get your Teams organized, start reading!

Assign to a Specific Channel

To start to post assignments to specific channels, go into your Assignments tab in Microsoft Teams and create a new assignment. Fill out all of the assignment details that you want to add. At the bottom of the page, you will notice a line that reads “ Post Assignment Notifications to this Channel: General .” Next to it, click on the Edit button.

You will see the different channel options that you can choose. Choose which channel you will want the assignment notifications to go to, and click done . Then, don’t forget to click Assign to send the assignment to your students. You can go into the channel you chose and see the assignment notification there.

Don’t see all your channels when editing where to post the assignment notifications? Note that you are unable to choose private channels. For a workaround here, you can instead assign work to specific students.

Assign to Specific Students

Many teachers create private channels for students to do group work or to easily separate students and give them different versions of the same assignments. When assigning work, it would be nice to also post the assignment notifications to that channel, but unfortunately, Teams doesn’t allow you to do this in private channels. Instead, we will have to manually choose and assign the work to these groups of students.

To begin, we will create a new assignment from the Assignments tab in your Team. Once all the details are added in, you can choose which Team and which students to assign this to. Instead of choosing All Students , you can pick and choose which students will receive this assignment. You can go through your class list and choose the students. You will notice that you are not able to edit where the notifications are posted after you have done this.

Once the work has been assigned, students will receive a notification on their end that they must complete the work. Unfortunately, they won’t receive a notification in any of their channels, but they will know they still must do the assignment.

There are many different ways to use Teams and make it easier for you and your students to stay on top of their work. Hopefully, to post assignments to specific channels and to specific students are 2 ways that you can implement them in your routine. For other Teams Tips & Tricks, check out the articles below:

• Microsoft Teams For Online Teaching – A Guide For Teachers
• Step-By-Step Tutorial For Using Class Notebook In Microsoft Teams
• Creating An Assignment With a Class Notebook Page
• Best Ways To Use The Collaboration Space in Class Notebook
• How to Use the Brand New Breakout Rooms Feature in Microsoft Teams
• 15 Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks for Teachers

About Sara Wanasek

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Microsoft Teams is a digital hub that brings conversations, meetings, files, and apps together in one place. Because Teams is built on Office 365, schools benefit from integration with their familiar Office apps and services. It delivers enterprise-grade security and compliance that is extensible and customizable to fit the needs of every school.

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One of the new features related to Assignments is the weekly guardian e-mail digest which are weekly emails sent to students' parents or guardians. The emails will contain information about assignments from the previous week and for the upcoming week, and will be sent over the weekend. The emails need to be set up and updated by the admins using the School Data Sync feature . SDS automatically populates classes for Teams with student rosters from the school’s student information system (SIS). The steps to enable this feature are:

Import parent contact information via Parent and Guardian Sync in SDS. Select here for instructions on how to enable Parent and Guardian Sync .

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• 23 Icebreaker Activities & Games to Break The Ice With Students
• Teaching English
• James Prior
• No Comments
• Updated September 7, 2024

Discover 23 engaging icebreaker games for students that will help break the ice, build connections, and create a fun, welcoming classroom environment. Perfect for all levels!

Getting students to warm up to each other can be a challenge, especially in a new class. Fortunately, that’s what icebreaker games are for. When used properly, icebreaker games are a fantastic way to build rapport, encourage teamwork, and help students feel more comfortable.

In this article, we cover 23 icebreaker games and activities for students that can help set the tone for a positive learning environment.

Table of Contents

Tips for Successful Icebreakers

• Know Your Group: Choose activities that are age-appropriate and match your students’ comfort levels.
• Set the Tone: Be enthusiastic. Your energy will set the stage for student engagement.
• Encourage Participation: Praise students for taking part, especially those who might feel shy.
• Be Mindful of Time: Keep activities short to maintain energy levels and attention.
• Mix It Up: Use different types of icebreakers to cater to various personalities and learning styles.

Best Icebreaker Games for Students

Whether you’re teaching elementary, middle, high school, or adult education classes, these icebreakers will help you create a fun and engaging classroom environment.

1. Two Truths and a Lie

Ask each student to share two truths and one lie about themselves. The rest of the class guesses which statement is the lie. Students often get creative with their answers, making the game both fun and unpredictable.

Why It Works: This game encourages students to share unique facts about themselves and helps others learn about them. It’s a great way to kickstart conversations and build connections.

2. Would You Rather?

Pose “Would you rather” questions to the group, such as, “Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?” Students choose their answers and explain why. These make great icebreaker questions , and you can customize questions to suit the age group or subject matter.

Why It Works: This game gets students thinking creatively and helps them express opinions in a fun way. It also sparks debates and interesting discussions.

3. Human Bingo

Create bingo cards with different characteristics (e.g., “has a pet,” “speaks more than one language”). Students mingle to find classmates who match the descriptions and fill out their cards. The first student to complete a row yells “Bingo!”

Why It Works: This activity encourages movement and interaction among students who may not yet know each other. It also helps students discover similarities they share with classmates.

4. Name Game

Students sit in a circle. The first person says their name and a word that starts with the same letter (e.g., “Silly Sam”). The next person repeats the previous names and adds their own.

Why It Works: This helps students learn each other’s names while having fun with word associations. It also strengthens memory skills in a playful way.

5. Beach Ball Questions

Write questions all over a beach ball (e.g., “What’s your favorite movie?” or “What’s your dream job?”). Toss the ball around the room. When a student catches it, they answer the question facing them.

Why It Works: This keeps students engaged and provides a physical activity element, which can be especially good for kinesthetic learners. It also introduces spontaneity into the class.

6. Find Someone Who…

Give each student a worksheet with prompts like “Find someone who loves pizza” or “Find someone who has traveled to another country.” Students must find classmates that match each prompt and write their names.

Why It Works: This game promotes social interaction and helps students discover common interests. It’s an excellent way to get students talking with people they might not usually approach.

Ask students to line up in order based on criteria such as birthdate, height, or shoe size—but without talking. They must rely on gestures, nods, or other non-verbal cues to get in order.

Why It Works: It promotes teamwork and non-verbal communication skills. Students must work together without speaking, which can be a fun challenge.

8. Snowball Fight

Students write a fact about themselves on a piece of paper, crumple it into a “snowball,” and toss it around the room. Each student picks up a random snowball, opens it, and reads it aloud to the class.

Why It Works: This activity gets students moving and provides an anonymous way to share information. It’s also a fun way to introduce themselves without the pressure of standing up alone.

9. Alphabet Introductions

Each student introduces themselves using an adjective that starts with the same letter as their first name (e.g., “Happy Hannah”). To add a memory challenge, have each student repeat the names and adjectives of previous classmates.

Why It Works: It’s an easy way to remember names and injects humor into introductions. The repetition also helps with memory retention.

10. Speed Meeting

Set up chairs in two lines facing each other. Students have a minute to introduce themselves to the person across from them. After a minute, they move to the next person. You can prompt them with questions to keep the conversation flowing.

Why It Works: This fast-paced format helps students meet many of their classmates in a short time. It encourages quick thinking and adaptability in conversations.

11. M&M Game

Pass around a bowl of M&Ms. Each student picks a few but doesn’t eat them yet. Each color corresponds to a different question (e.g., red = favorite hobby, blue = dream vacation). Students answer the questions based on the M&Ms they have.

Why It Works: It’s a simple way to get students talking about themselves and sharing fun facts. The use of candy makes it a lighthearted activity.

12. This or That

Give students two options (e.g., cats or dogs, summer or winter) and ask them to move to the side of the room that represents their choice. After moving, they can explain their choices.

Why It Works: This game is quick and lets students share their preferences in a low-pressure way. It also shows that it’s okay to have different opinions.

13. Memory Circle

Students stand in a circle. The first person says their name and a fact about themselves. The next person repeats the information and adds their own, and so on around the circle.

Why It Works: This game tests memory skills and reinforces learning names and facts about classmates. It’s a great way to ensure that students pay attention to each other.

14. Human Knot

Students stand in a circle, extend their right hands, and grab someone else’s hand. Then, they do the same with their left hand, grabbing a different person’s hand. Without letting go, they must untangle the “knot” they’ve created.

Why It Works: It’s a great team-building exercise that requires communication and cooperation. Students must work together to solve the physical puzzle.

15. Four Corners

Label each corner of the room with a different category (e.g., favorite season, type of music, etc.). Students move to the corner that best represents their preference and discuss why they made their choice.

Why It Works: This activity gets students moving and provides insight into their likes and dislikes. It’s a visual way for students to see who shares their interests.

16. Puzzle Race

Divide students into small groups. Each group gets a different puzzle to solve as quickly as possible. You can use traditional puzzles, word searches, or custom-designed challenges related to your subject.

Why It Works: It fosters teamwork and problem-solving skills while adding a competitive element. It’s also a great way to warm up students’ brains for learning.

17. Emoji Introduction

Ask students to introduce themselves using emojis on a whiteboard or a piece of paper. For example, a student might draw a book, a dog, and a pizza to represent their interests.

Why It Works: This creative approach allows students to share their personalities in a visually engaging way. It’s a low-pressure way for shy students to participate.

18. Pass the Clap

Students stand in a circle. One student starts by clapping once and making eye contact with someone else in the circle. The person who receives the clap claps once and passes it on. You can increase the difficulty by adding variations like double claps or rhythms.

Why It Works: This game sharpens students’ focus and encourages non-verbal communication. It’s a simple yet effective way to get everyone involved.

19. Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of items students need to find around the classroom or school. You can include objects, facts, or even specific classmates to meet. The first team or individual to find everything wins a small prize.

Why It Works: This encourages exploration, teamwork, and communication, helping students get familiar with their surroundings. It’s a great way to break the ice in a new environment.

20. Story Chain

The first student starts a story with one sentence. Each student adds a sentence until everyone has contributed. The story can take funny, unexpected turns as it progresses.

Why It Works: This promotes creativity, listening skills, and collaboration, as students must build on each other’s ideas. It’s also a fun way to get everyone’s creative juices flowing.

21. Draw Your Life

Provide paper and markers and ask students to draw their lives in five pictures. They can include anything significant, like family, hobbies, or dreams. Afterward, they can share their drawings with the class, explaining what each picture represents.

Why It Works: This activity allows students to express themselves visually and share meaningful parts of their lives. It helps create empathy and understanding among classmates.

22. Birthday Line-Up

Ask students to line up in order of their birthdays (month and day) without speaking. They must use gestures, fingers, and other non-verbal cues to communicate their dates.

Why It Works: This activity emphasizes non-verbal communication and teamwork. It’s a great way to get students working together and thinking creatively.

23. The What Am I? Game

Write different nouns (like animals, occupations, or objects) on sticky notes and place one on each student’s forehead. Students must ask yes-or-no questions to figure out what they are.

Why It Works: This game sharpens questioning skills and encourages students to think critically. It’s also a great way to create laughter and have fun.

Icebreaker games are more than just fun activities — they’re vital tools for creating a positive classroom environment. By encouraging students to interact, share, and learn about each other, you foster a sense of belonging that will set the tone for the class.

Try these games with your students and watch the transformation as your classroom becomes a community.

• Recent Posts

• ESOL Meaning, Definition, and What It Involves - September 7, 2024
• 23 Icebreaker Activities & Games to Break The Ice With Students - September 7, 2024
• 67 Icebreaker Games & Activities (For All Age Groups) - September 6, 2024

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Add a student to a class team

Add students to a class team you've already created. You'll also be able to choose if they should receive past assignments in the class. If you're having trouble adding students to your class, check with your IT Admin to make sure you have the right permissions.

Tip:  If your IT Admin has created Microsoft 365 groups for your classes, ask for the group name. You can enter the group name to add all students at once. Learn more .

Add students

Select Add member .

Type in the name of the student and choose them from the list for them to be added to the class.

When all students have been selected, choose the Add button. 

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After you've added new students to your class, choose the past assignments you'd like them to receive.

Navigate to the class and select  Assignments .

Pick the assignment in your list or search for it by keyword in the command box.

Select the More icon ... > Edit.

Select a student from the class list. 

Make your selection, and then select Done . The new student added after the assignment was created will receive the assignment.   

Note:  If you chose a close date for the assignment, students can receive it up until the close date. Once the close date passes, students can no longer be added.

When creating new assignments, you can make sure they will automatically be assigned to future students by following the steps above. 

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