KG and 1st graders attempt to stand together on an island that keeps shrinking and shrinking...
Teamwork is essential for kids in school, and learning to work effectively on a team will be a valuable skill for their entire lives. My most recent unit for kids in EC through 5th grade has been all about cooperation. For 2nd through 5th grades, I break it down into these 5 effective team member behaviors below. In the early years, I focus on the first three:
- SHARE IDEAS...being able to articulate your thoughts to your team.
- LISTEN...making an effort to listen to your teammate's ideas.
- DO YOUR PART...sticking with the group's task, and doing the jobs assigned to you by the group.
- ENCOURAGE OTHERS...being positive toward the others in your group, treating your team members kindly, lifting them up.
- LEAD AND FOLLOW...being aware of your role in a group. Asking yourself the question, "Do I normally lead or do I normally follow?" Then, challenging yourself to take the other role occasionally.
I spend the rest of lesson time on experiential activities. I believe they best learn by practicing teamwork. Then, during and after each activity, I ask them to compliment each other on the above behaviors. I also ask them to reflect about how they are doing with these behaviors. They are quite aware of how others on their team are doing, and are quite reflective about their own roles in a group.
Students using their "octopus" device...made from a rubber band and string...to make a pyramid out of paper cups. They had several restrictions to overcome in this task, for instance, they were not allowed to touch the cups at all. They had to accomplish the task using only the "octopus" device.
