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Overview: This lesson highlights the importance of bringing our best selves when working with a team.

Character Education Objectives:

Students will:

  • determine roles for each team member
  • practice bringing their best self to a group task through their defined role
  • reflect on the effects of roles and responsibilities in a group

Materials needed:

  • A deck of cards for each group

Directions:

  1. Put students in groups of 2-4. Each group needs to have at least one builder and one supervisor. If you have more than two students in the group, allow the students to decide how many builders and supervisors they want within their group, as long as there is one of each.
  2. Give each group a deck of cards.
  3. Instruct the group that their task is to build the highest tower of cards they can.
  4. Only builders may touch the cards, but cannot talk. Only supervisors may talk, but cannot touch the cards.
  5. The team must start over each time the tower falls.
  6. Set a time limit. At the end of the time limit, allow students to negotiate more time. For example, let students continue if they can negotiate a trade (if don’t use their dominant hand, don’t talk etc., then they get one more minute to work).
  7. At the end of the time limit, see who has the tallest tower—then let them blow it down!

Discussion Prompts:

  • It is possible that they won’t be very successful at this activity. If they aren’t, ask them what they could have done better or differently.
  • Was it hard to only be a builder or only be a supervisor? Why?
  • Why does brining your best self and all of your talents important when you are on a team?
Working with a Team (Grades K-5)
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