team building with your peers and family
third through eighth grade lessons
LESSONS CAN BE MODIFIED OR COMPLETED WITH THE HELP OF A TEACHER OR PARENT FOR STUDENTS YOUNGER THAN THIRD GRADE.
This unit was developed with Social Emotional Learning competencies and 21st Century Skills in mind. The activities in this unit provide opportunities for students to problem-solve and learn about communication skills, leadership and collaboration.
These activities are listed in their recommended order — categorized by beginner, intermediate and advance — in regard to the difficulty level. Each activity is designed to stand on its own, but can be paired with any additional activities in the unit. Students may utilize family members or close-by friends to participate in the activities that require a team.
Download Team Building With Your Peers and Family Teacher’s Guide with suggestions for differentiation of lessons and additional notes. If you are using Google Classroom, consider using kamiapp.com to easily integrate activity pages which are created as PDF Fillable Forms.
BEGINNER
Sit-Spot Pen Pals
Students will use their observation skills to take notes on a secret sit-spot for one week. Then, they will try to guess each other's sit-spots.
Download Sit-Spot Pen Pal Activity Page
Spanish Sit-Spot Pen Pal Activity Page
Bagels
Students will use problem-solving and communication to solve a partners' puzzle. Watch the 5:42-minute video on step-by-step instructions on how to play the game.
Sierra Nevada Journeys Jeopardy
Students will use the link provided in the activity guide to access the Online Jeopardy Game that asks questions about ecology, biology, earth's spheres and more.
Download Sierra Nevada Journeys Jeopardy Activity Page
Spanish Sierra Nevada Journeys Jeopardy Activity Page
INTERMEDIATE
Tarp Launch
Using a tarp to launch an object into the air, students will work together with their team to catch the object as it comes back down.
Download Tarp Launch Activity Page
Spanish Tarp Launch Activity Page
Tarp Flip
Standing on a tarp on the ground, students will use problem-solving to get their entire team to flip over the tarp and stand on the other side.
Download Tarp Flip Activity Page
Spanish Tarp Flip Activity Page
Floating Fingers
Use communication and planning to lower an object to the ground with their team, using only one finger each.
Download Floating Fingers Activity Page
Spanish Floating Fingers Activity Page
Advanced
Vision-Blocked Shapes
Students will use collaborative teamwork to create a shape using a length of rope while vision-blocked by an eye covering, such as a bandanna.
Download Vision-Blocked Shapes Activity Page
Spanish Vision-Blocked Shapes Activity Page
Hot Chocolate River
Use problem-solving and communication to cross an imaginary hot chocolate river with their team, using only “marshmallows” to cross.
Download Hot Chocolate River Activity Page
Spanish Hot Chocolate River Activity Page
Mystery Object
Students will get creative with their communication skills to help a teammate locate and identify an object while vision-blocked by an eye covering, such as a bandanna.
Download Mystery Object Activity Page
Spanish Mystery Object Activity Page
Town Hall
Students will role-play different characters, using critical thinking, communication, and collaboration to engage with one another in a town hall meeting scenario.
Download Town Hall Activity Page
Spanish Town Hall Activity Page
Return to All Free Grade-Level Lessons.