Training icebreakers: The first five minutes

A ready-made course you customise for your organisation, with a live session deck. You only add the 5 details that are specific to your organisation.

Length
7 min
Lessons
3 lessons
Frequency
Training opener
Last reviewed
22 Oct 2026
Keep it optional and inclusive
What would you do?

A learner types in the chat that they have never used the topic and feels behind

Try it: this is one of 8 interactive activities in the course.

What's included

Two pieces that work together

Copy once, get everything. Learners prepare on their own and you run the session live.

Self-paced course

Short lessons with real workplace scenarios, not walls of text.

  • 3 lessons, about 7 minutes
  • Process, sorting activity, flashcards, scenario and quizzes
  • 5-question final check

Live session deck

An AhaSlides presentation to run after the course, in person or online.

  • 8 slides
  • Open-ended, word cloud, poll slides
  • A closing slide for your contacts

Learning objectives

At the end of this course, learners can

Each objective and the lesson that covers it.

IDObjectiveSourceWhere it's covered
TO 480.0Complete the course and its final checkBest practiceWhole course
SO 480.1Open the session in about seven minutes without calling on anyoneBest practiceWhole course
SO 480.2Make it safe to say 'I don't know'Best practiceWhole course
SO 480.3Adjust the pace to what learners say about their experienceBest practiceWhole course
SO 480.4Turn learners' questions into the agendaBest practiceWhole course

Your part: what a template can't do for you

  • Your workplace details: fill in the 5 highlighted fields so the course describes your own policies, contacts and locations.
  • Records: record completion in your own LMS or record system.

Course outline

3 lessons, about 7 minutes

Minutes per lesson are an estimate, shared out by page count.

ContentInteractiveVideoYou customise
1

Run the first five minutes

3 pages

3 min
Before you beginNoteTextList
How the seven minutes runTextProcessImageButton
CheckQuiz
2

Keep it optional and inclusive

3 pages

2 min
Who gets left outTextSorting activity
Adapt it for remote and mixed teamsTextFlashcardsNoteYour infoYour infoYour info
ScenarioScenario
3

Host with confidence

2 pages

2 min
Final checkQuizMulti-select quiz
You are ready to hostKey factAccordionButtonYour info

Live deck

8 slides to run live

Pink slides are interactive.

Content · customiseWelcome in glad you're here
Word cloudOne word for how you are arriving today
Poll · customiseHow much have you used {{SESSION_TOPIC}} before?
Open-endedOne thing you hope to leave with
Open-endedA question you'd like answered today
Content · customiseHere is the plan
Q&AAsk the trainer anything
Closing · customiseOver to you

Make it yours

5 fields to fill in, and you're ready

Everything else is done. These are the details only your organisation knows; each one is highlighted inside the course.

  • Session title{{SESSION_TITLE}}
  • Session topic{{SESSION_TOPIC}}
  • Agenda points{{AGENDA_POINTS}}
  • Next session or action{{NEXT_SESSION_OR_ACTION}}
  • Course URL{{COURSE_URL}}

FAQ

Common questions

Can I run training icebreakers: The first five minutes training online?

Yes. The course is self-paced and online, and the live deck lets you add a live session in the room or online.

How often is this training needed?

Training opener.

Who needs this training?

Trainers and facilitators opening a workshop or course session with a group who may not know each other.

What records should I keep?

Record completion in your own LMS or record system, so you can show who finished the course and when.

Can I edit the content?

Yes, everything. Change the wording, swap scenarios for ones from your workplace, add your logo, or remove parts that don't apply.

Ready to run it?

Open the live deck to see how the session runs alongside the course.