I need Hans and Franz...

I'm trying to get pumped up for the school year, but it isn't quite happening!

One thing I've been pondering lately is the thought of getting to know my students.  Last year I had two classrooms of students I had to get to know, and this year there will be three classrooms. I feel like the starting activities I use aren't exciting.  How do you get to know your students?  There's always the ice breaker questions, the glyphs, the little write-ups to put on the bulletin board, even digital formats.  What formats have you used most successfully?  I really have no computer access with 2 out of the 3 classrooms of kids I will be working with.  

Something else I have been dwelling on is my IWB.  I will have a Promethan board this year complete with clickers and slate.  I know there are so many people that bash IWBs, and maybe that's part of what is hindering me getting pumped up for the school year.  I need to hear some good things about IWBs.  It's how my district chose to use some tech money, it's installed in my room, and I want to use it to it's fullest.  People with IWBs, how to you use them?

Share your experiences here.  Converse with me.  Pump me up!




P.S. If you don't get the Hans and Franz mention, you're missing some classic SNL!