Why do we do team building in our classroom?
- Team building has been proven to improve communication skills.
- Team building requires that you get to know others on a deeper level; which brings people together rather than separating them.
- Team building teaches new strengths and insights from other team members.
- Team Building promotes the idea that everybody has good ideas.
- The more inclusive everyone is, the greater the number of talents and viewpoints will be on hand to tackle problems.
- Team Building builds trust and creates a safe environment in which all students feel safe to take the risks necessary to learn.
- Bullying behaviors are reduced, as students get to know and appreciate each other.
- Students learn to reason, justify, collaborate, problem-solve, communicate, speak kindly, share, synergize, be flexible, think creatively, contribute, feel a part of the whole, work with purpose, and build a shared vision.
- Having fun together with team building helps students feel valued and rewarded.
When there is time on Friday, I present a 20 minute team building activity. This week we shared a drama circle. Last week we built towers with plastic cups. We talked about strategies, cooperation, communication, and goals.
We discovered that people bring more than their skills and experience to a team; they bring their personality as well. That makes things fun, but it also creates challenges.
My mantras for team building are… Keep it simple. Keep it fun. Make it dynamic. Showcase new skills. Bring people together.
Our Team Process
1. Define the problem – What do we need to accomplish?
2. Gather information – What do we know?
3. Analyze the problem – What is possible? What are the problems?
4. Strategize – How should we try to do it?
5. Try it – Share the work.
6. Evaluate results – How well did it work?
7. Adjust if necessary – What might make it work better?
Team Building Photos
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