Giving students some free time before class begins to talk amongst themselves is a good way to start the class. You could even create break out rooms and ice breaker questions for students to have the option to discuss. Also, there could be an informal, fun, weekly show and tell session during 1 class a week for students to share about a picture, an experience, a video, or a pet. Lastly, there can be shout outs that the teacher and students can carry out publicly and privately to communicate something good that certain students have done.
