# data[].attributes.body
Picture 1 Explanation

This first picture displays a group of students excited about working together. One student is left out of the of the group huddle. The students are excitedly hugging one another not worried or caring about how the other child is feeling. This picture supports the idea of the loss of control in a team dynamic situation. The students are not working well together because they are leaving out a team member. That team member who is being intentionally left out, now feels unwelcomed and will most likely be feeling uncomfortable during the entire team work assignment. When working in a team dynamic it is important to have all group members feeling welcomed. If there is a team member that is not feeling accepted it can affect their ability to contribute their own ideas. It also can affect the students’ self-esteem. The student in the picture who is being left out looks very sad. As these students begin to work, they are going to be missing a part of their team.

Picture 2 Explanation

This second picture displays a group of older students working together in a diverse group. The team dynamic seems to be working. All of the students are engaged in the assignment, and it looks as though all students are willing to participate equally. The body language displayed by the students’ is close together so it does not appear there is any loss of control in this group activity. These students are working well together as a team. The picture portrays all students looking in the same direction which supports their attentiveness to the groups’ needs. This picture is how team dynamic should look. The students are all grouped together working over one desk which helps pull the team together. Students are leaning forward which shows that they are an active part of the group activity. There may have been some discomfort in the group because the boys are sitting on one side and the girls are on the opposite side, however, it still seems as though they are working well together.

# data[].attributes.headline
How do students’ concerns regarding losing control affect teamwork in schools?How do different students react to the team dynamics that result from concerns about control?

# data[].attributes.subject
How do students’ concerns regarding losing control affect teamwork in schools?How do different students react to the team dynamics that result from concerns about control?

# data[].attributes.body
In elementary schools, when students learn they are going to be working as a team on an assignment, many times educators will observe quiet cheers of excitement. These are cheers of excitement that stem from students having the ability to work with friends. Students often begin making eye contact with the individuals they are interested in working with during the teamwork assignment. Once the educator informs the students that they will not be independently choosing their groups, they become interested in learning who they will be working with in hopes that it will be somebody they are friendly with in the classroom. At this point some students may begin to lose control. Students might become upset and begin to voice they do not want to work with specific children as they begin to identify the child out loud. The younger students may not even realize that they are losing control and it is affecting the entire class. The focus of the class is not the assignment anymore but rather who people are working with and it is causing a major disruption. The students in the class who are shy and more intimated may become very sensitive and uncomfortable, and this results in the lack of ability to focus. Now the educator has the challenging job of bringing all the students back together. It is beneficial to teach the children about respecting one another when working as a team. This could be reminded and stressed before any group assignment begins. It is important for educators to work with students, and educate them on the importance of working with everybody and respecting each other regardless of our differences. When students do not feel safe or welcomed into a group they are not going to be able to perform to their best ability.

Older students such as middle school and high school students should be more aware of losing control. This does not mean that just because they are more aware they do not lose control. In these older grades students tend to be more self-conscience, caring a lot about how others portray them within the school. This is also a time where students are entering hormonal changes, so emotions can be all over the place. There are all different personalities within the classroom that make up its’ dynamic. Many of the students tend to be more mature and the majority of the students behave within the classroom and work well with others. There are a few students who strive off of getting attention from acting out. These students like the reaction of the other students in the class, some thinking it's funny and cool. This could also be intimidating to those students who behave and do not like conflict. This could affect the student’s ability to learn and focus as they are uncomfortable and possibly feel that the child is uncontrollable and could hurt somebody physically or mentally. Educators will need to pick and choose their battles. Sometimes it's best to ignore undesired behaviors and they dissipate. Other times they need to be addressed especially if it's affecting student’s ability to learn. As an educator it is important to continue to help build your students ability to work within a team dynamic. Is important to continuously educate students on respect and differences.

When trying to promote a positive team dynamic within the classroom, the educator will benefit from teaching the students the importance of being enthusiastic and committed to their work, taking pride in their teamwork accomplishments as well as resolving conflict effectively, and ending with celebrating their final team product!