Author: Janet 

  Procedure:

        I bring a sack with a running shoe, a bread pan, a piece
        of stained glass, something of my daughter's ect. I group
        students and dump a few things on each table, then give them
        a few minutes to decide what they think each item says about me.

        I invite them to bring their own sack on the following day and
        you may be surprised at how many actually bring one!

        I also give them a paper with questions on it about where they
        were born, where they've lived, who they live with, their
        previous schools, and their favorite/worst subject. I also throw
        in some "what is your favorite band, clothing, person, color,
        food, etc.

        You can either have them share their own paper with
        the class, or use it in groups of 2 as an interview and have
        the students introduce each other.