Building Community through Team Work Activities

One back to school activity students worked through at the beginning of the school year was "Survival Island". (Idea from the book Teach Like a Pirate.) Students have to decide who gets to stay on the island and who gets to leave the island with the hope of being rescued.

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Students come to understand that we are all contributors to the group. We may have strengths and weaknesses that we bring to the group. Working together and listening to each other is key!

Another team building activity is the "Paper Circle" challenge. Working in small groups, students are provided with 2 pieces of paper, 2 pairs of scissors, and one glue stick. They are tasked with creating a paper circle that everyone in their group can stand in when completed. 

Students have to communicate, assign roles, take turns, share, and negotiate with their classmates in order to complete the task.

 

 

 

If you were stranded on an island...

Teamwork Scenario...
Students were presented with the following question. If you were with a group of people stranded on an island and only five people were going to be helicoptered out... which five would you choose to go and which five would you choose to stay and why? 

 Students were tasked with coming to a consensus as a group. They had to plan, discuss, support and agree with the final decision.

Students presented their group's selections and had to justify their choices. Students considered so many layers! I was so impressed!

Debating about the Revolutionary War

Students had to consider both sides of the debate. They had to have their points 

counter points organized and ready to support their view point. 

Here a student is responding as to why she does not believe 

that the American Revolutionary war was worth the price.

Isabel responding to her side of the story

Counter point to Isabel's perspective

Students had to work together, share ideas, and communicate their

perspective with clarity and conviction.

Teamwork Activity

Students worked in teams and were challenged with building the longest chain.

Each group was provided with a piece of paper, two pairs of scissors and a glue stick.

In essence, there were more people than there were supplies.

Students had to problem solve and communicate with each other. They had to plan what they were going to do.

Students naturally defined roles. Someone was the "cutter" or the "gluer".

Working quickly, students made the longest chain of paper that they could.

See how we did!