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@keepabookout
As the school year begins I want my kids to think about the circles that surround them. I want them to think about making those circles wider.

I want them to include more.
I want them to open up.
I want them to make a difference by seeing and celebrating the gifts that others around them have and letting them shine.
I want their circles to feel uncomfy sometimes as they learn from others.
I want them to feel the love of someone opening their circles to them.

“In the circles all around us everywhere we go there’s a difference we can make and a love we can all show.”

Those ripples of kindness make a difference. Everyone deserves to feel that.

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43 Awesome Team-Building Games and Activities for Kids

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Students will have fun while learning how to cooperate and communicate.

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@saragrochowski

Everything - including ourselves - is a work in progress and that a little bit of imagination goes a long way.

“Do you see —
how with each mistake
she is becoming?”

📖 “The Book of Mistakes” by Corinna Luyken / Ages 4–8 / Penguin

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Work in small groups to complete a challenge.
Supplies per group:
20 Sticks of spaghetti
1 yard masking tape
1 yard string
1 marshmellow

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“I like to make pictures”
“Can I see them?”
“I don’t know” he said. “You might not like them.”
“But I might”, Iris answered.

This really is a magical children’s book for exploring the concepts of feelings, friendship, diversity & the wonder of art as a form of expression.

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Play and Curiosity helps us get unstuck

Purpose:  Flexible thinking, perspective taking

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Copy of But First…Play!  The Napkin Game

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The bulk of this lesson is focused on teaching students that books should be windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors. As their teacher, you want them to “see themselves” in some of the books you read this year. The follow up activity will prompt students to share about this experience with you!
Lesson Link
https://ameliacapotosta.com/building-community-in-the-first-2-weeks-of-school/

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Building Community in the First 2 Weeks of School

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The first week of school is incredibly exciting, but let's be honest, it's also incredibly overwhelming AND exhausting. I don't want to spend 2 weeks repeating rule + routines, so I need creative ways to teach them!

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Teacher sets the tone for the activity!

1. Quickly discuss this Albert Einstein quote!

2. Present this challenge as an opportunity to work together, challenge your thinking, discover how collaborative ideas can lead to great inventions, etc. Remember all group members have something to contribute!

3. EXPLAIN:
Teacher quickly reviews the guidelines. Ideally, supplies are already divided up

4. PLAN
Teachers - you can skip this step if you need to save time. The idea is that students begin thinking/planning/sharing ideas before jumping in.and passed out on tables to save time.

5.  REFLECT: Teachers - The debrief and reflection of this activity is probably what makes it the most valuable! Have fun facilitating a discussion afterwards! Here are some possible discussion questions:

What worked?

What didn’t work?

If you had more time, what would you do differently?

How did you share/negotiate ideas?

What surprised you most?

How does this relate to the real world?

You can take this opportunity to emphasize how important it is for engineers to plan their work and manage their resources.

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This story models the importance of understanding that everyone comes from and goes home to different things, and we need to be understanding and respectful of it.  Students will open up and share so much with you when given the opportunity to tell you what they wish their teacher knew about them!  Lesson Link

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Point of view can completely change a story + we want our readers to understand this. Use this read aloud for a point of view lesson + to introduce theme!  Lesson Link

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One Word HyperDoc: Students each select a word to ground themsleves throughout the year.

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Building community + expectations. We want our learners to expand their vocabulary every day, everywhere. This book teaches us just that! Kick off vocabulary notebooks with this read aloud. Lesson Link

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Engage: View MLB current "walk-up songs" and Top 25. Engage in a class discussion of the purpose and impact.
Explore: Students check Out the history of walk up songs.
Explain: Turn and share with a partner what your walk up song would be and why.
Apply: Have students curate a list of walk up/pump up songs and share or create a space for that work.

Ideas: Teacher might create a class playlist (monitor if appropriate)

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A book with a surprising ending, Each Kindness is a perfect story to work on responding to reading. Then, extend the lesson with the “Ripple of Kindness” activity! Lesson Link

https://ameliacapotosta.com/building-community-in-the-first-2-weeks-of-school/

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SRVUSD login required to access.

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This read aloud starts with a fluency lesson + continues with vocabulary. The perfect book for both! Lesson Link

https://ameliacapotosta.com/building-community-in-the-first-2-weeks-of-school/

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FREE Getting to Know You Conversation Starter Task Cards

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This free school counseling Getting to Know You Conversation Starter Task Cards product contains 16 free & fun questions that you can use: ✔ As icebreakers for your small groups or lunch bunches ✔ During morning meetings, as conversation prompts or journaling topic ✔ As a way to turn non-coun...

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This book provides such a great opportunity to remind students the importance of speaking up! And you can use it to create the perfect door or bulletin board display with what your students want to speak up about!
Lesson Link
https://ameliacapotosta.com/building-community-in-the-first-2-weeks-of-school/

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First, play the read aloud. Then, have students play Rock, Paper, Scissors with a partner.   The losing students can take a knee OR you can have them become cheerleaders for their winning partner.   The winners  will continue to match up, finding a new partner until it’s only two for the SHOWDOWN!  Have all students circle around them and cheer!

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The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors - Dramatic Storytelling - Stories Read Aloud

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Read out the options for each body part of the monster and have them draw accordingly.  This activity can be done outside with chalk, too!  At the end, have the students do a gallery walk and have them share the similarities and differences they notice.

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Celebrate the opportunity we get every single day to read independently + together with this story. The art is so unique, and students will use this style to bring to life their
Lesson Link

https://ameliacapotosta.com/building-community-in-the-first-2-weeks-of-school/own sensory imagery of themselves as a reader.

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Great for any grade level - click the link for some examples!

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I Have Who Has Game Teaching Resources | TPT

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Browse i have who has game resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources.

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This DIY Positive Affirmation Coloring Banner was designed to be a hanging-from-the-walls-heart-felt "I Believe in You," inspiring message from the teacher (or school counselor) to students. Invite students to color individual flags and discuss with them how coloring (creating, & making art) can be a great coping tool to relieve stress. AND also talk about the power of positive self-talk and affirmations. While students color, invite them to think about how each of these messages can be applied to empower their lives, letting them know that anytime they need some inspiration, they can look up at the walls to remind themselves of their greatness. This classroom or office decor is great for building classroom community, a sense of belonging, and helping to create a trauma-sensitive (trauma informed) SAFE classroom.

Includes 39 unique positive affirmation designs, plus comes with your choice of 4 headings. There are also two sets, a black-color filled center or blank color-filled center.

The headings are:

"Dear Class", "Dear Students," "Dear You," and "Dear Ones,".

The 39 positive affirmations include:

*You Are Lovable

*You Have What It Takes to Climb On

*You Are Good Enough

*Believe In Yourself

*Never Give Up On Your Dreams

*Stand Tall As You Are

*You Are Important

*Your Words Have Power

*Act With Kind Courage

*You Were Made For This Challenge

*You Belong

*You Are Brave

*You Matter No Matter What

*You Are Strong

*Trust Yourself

*You Are Fun

*You Are Creative

*You Are Safe Here

*You Are Beautiful Inside and Out

*Treat Yourself With Gentle Kindness

*Embrace What Makes You Unique

*You Are Worthy of Respect

*You Got This

*Choose Compassion Towards Others and Yourself

*Mistakes Help You to Learn And Grow

*You Are Seen

*You Are Clever

*You Can Do Tough Things

*Your Bravery Is Stronger Than Your Fear

*Peace Begins With You

*You Are Awesome

*Listen To Your Heart

*You Are Inspiring

*You Are Loved

*You Are Appreciated

*You Have the Power to Create Change

*You Are In Charge of Your Attitude

*You Were Born to Stand Out

*Be Amazing, Wonderful, Fabulous You

Save 30% when you purchase this set in the POSITIVE AFFIRMATION BUNDLE!

For additional positive affirmation resources, check out:
*STRENGTH & POWER Affirmation Cards & Brag Tags *Spirit Animal Inspired *POSITIVE AFFIRMATION BRAG TAGS and SELF-ESTEEM CARDS for younger children *FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS and SELF-ESTEEM CUFFS *POSITIVE AFFIRMATION FORTUNE TELLERS *Positive Affirmation Cards & Growth Mindset Brag Tags *Positive Affirmation Brag Bracelets with Character Traits Classroom Rules, Expectations & Beliefs COLORING BANNER - "In Our Class" Bunting
Joy To You!

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Positive Affirmation COLORING BANNER *Empowering Stress-Reducing Classroom Decor

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This DIY Positive Affirmation Coloring Banner was designed to be a hanging-from-the-walls-heart-felt "I Believe in You," inspiring message from the teacher (or school counselor) to students. Invite students to color individual flags and discuss with them how coloring (creating, & making art) ca...

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Here is a list that is aligned with the Harmony SEL units.

SRVUSD login required to view.

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Foster knowledge, skills, and attitudes across five areas of social and emotional competence;

Establish equitable learning environments and coordinate practices across four key settings that support students' social, emotional, and academic development.

Download more information on the framework (available in and Spanish).

Use our reflection protocol to facilitate a discussion on implementation efforts in your school, district, or other setting.

Read more about the 2020 update to our framework, which highlighted the potential of SEL in promoting educational equity and excellence.

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Communities

Communities. Community partners often provide safe and developmentally rich settings for learning and development, have deep understanding of community needs and assets, are seen as trusted partners by families and students, and have connections to additional supports and services that school and families need. Community programs also offer opportunities for young people to practice their social and emotional skills in settings that are both personally relevant and can open opportunities for their future. To integrate SEL efforts across the school day and out-of-school time, school staff and community partners should align on common language and coordinate strategies and communication around SEL-related efforts and initiatives.
Learn more: CASEL Guide to Schoolwide SEL - Community Partnerships

Families & Caregivers

Families & Caregivers. When schools and families form authentic partnerships, they can build strong connections that reinforce students' social and emotional development. Families and caregivers are children's first teachers, and bring deep expertise about their development, experiences, culture, and learning needs. These insights and perspectives are critical to informing, supporting, and sustaining SEL efforts. Research suggests that evidence-based SEL programs are more effective when they extend into the home, and families are far more likely to form partnerships with schools when their schools' norms, values, and cultural representations reflect their own experiences. Schools need inclusive decision-making processes that ensure that families-particularly those from historically marginalized groups-are part of planning, implementing, and continuously improving SEL.

Schools can also create other avenues for family partnership that may include creating ongoing two-way communication with families, helping caregivers understand child development, helping teachers understand family backgrounds and cultures, providing opportunities for families to volunteer in schools, extending learning activities and discussions into homes, and coordinating family services with community partners. These efforts should engage families in understanding, experiencing, informing, and supporting the social and emotional development of their students.
Learn more: CASEL Guide to Schoolwide SEL - Family Partnerships

Schools

Schools. Effectively integrating SEL schoolwide involves ongoing planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement by all members of the school community. SEL efforts both contribute to and depend upon a school climate where all students and adults feel respected, supported, and engaged.

Because the school setting includes many contexts-classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground, bus-fostering a healthy school climate and culture requires active engagement from all adults and students. A strong school culture is rooted in students' sense of belonging, with evidence that suggests that it plays a crucial role in students' engagement. SEL also offers an opportunity to enhance existing systems of student support by integrating SEL goals and practices with universal, targeted, and intensive academic and behavioral supports. By coordinating and building upon SEL practices and programs, schools can create an environment that infuses SEL into every part of students' educational experience and promotes positive social, emotional, and academic outcomes for all students.
Learn more: CASEL Guide to Schoolwide SEL

Classrooms

Classrooms. Research has shown that social and emotional competence can be enhanced using a variety of classroom-based approaches such as: (a) explicit instruction through which social and emotional skills and attitudes are taught and practiced in developmentally, contextually, and culturally responsive ways; (b) teaching practices such as cooperative learning and project-based learning; and (c) integration of SEL and academic curriculum such as language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and performing arts. High-quality SEL instruction has four elements represented by the acronym SAFE: Sequenced - following a coordinated set of training approaches to foster the development of competencies; Active - emphasizing active forms of learning to help students practice and master new skills; Focused - implementing curriculum that intentionally emphasizes the development of SEL competencies; and Explicit - defining and targeting specific skills, attitudes, and knowledge.

SEL instruction is carried out most effectively in nurturing, safe environments characterized by positive, caring relationships among students and teachers. To facilitate age-appropriate and culturally responsive instruction, adults must understand and appreciate the unique strengths and needs of each student and support students' identities. When adults incorporate students' personal experiences and cultural backgrounds and seek their input, they create an inclusive classroom environment where students are partners in the educational process, elevating their own agency. Strong relationships between adults and students can facilitate co-learning, foster student and adult growth, and generate collaborative solutions to shared concerns.
Learn more: CASEL Guide to Effective SEL Programs

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness: The abilities to understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. This includes capacities to recognize one's strengths and limitations with a well-grounded sense of confidence and purpose.

Such as:

Integrating personal and social identities

Identifying personal, cultural, and linguistic assets

Identifying one's emotions

Demonstrating honesty and integrity

Linking feelings, values, and thoughts

Examining prejudices and biases

Experiencing self-efficacy

Having a growth mindset

Developing interests and a sense of purpose

Check out this video from PBS Learning Media for more information.

Self-Management

Self-management: The abilities to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the capacities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals.

Such as:

Managing one's emotions

Identifying and using stress management strategies

Exhibiting self-discipline and self-motivation

Setting personal and collective goals

Using planning and organizational skills

Showing the courage to take initiative

Demonstrating personal and collective agency

Check out this video from PBS Learning Media for more information.

Social Awareness

Social awareness: The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts. This includes the capacities to feel compassion for others, understand broader historical and social norms for behavior in different settings, and recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

Such as:

Taking others' perspectives

Recognizing strengths in others

Demonstrating empathy and compassion

Showing concern for the feelings of others

Understanding and expressing gratitude

Identifying diverse social norms, including unjust ones

Recognizing situational demands and opportunities

Understanding the influences of organizations and systems on behavior

Check out this video from PBS Learning Media for more information.

Responsible Decision-Making

Responsible decision-making: The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. This includes the capacities to consider ethical standards and safety concerns, and to evaluate the benefits and consequences of various actions for personal, social, and collective well-being.

Such as:

Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness

Learning how to make a reasoned judgment after analyzing information, data, and facts

Identifying solutions for personal and social problems

Anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one's actions

Recognizing how critical thinking skills are useful both inside and outside of school

Reflecting on one's role to promote personal, family, and community well-being

Evaluating personal, interpersonal, community, and institutional impacts

Check out this video from PBS Learning Media for more information.

Relationship Skills

Relationship skills: The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. This includes the capacities to communicate clearly, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively, navigate settings with differing social and cultural demands and opportunities, provide leadership, and seek or offer help when needed.

Such as:

Communicating effectively

Developing positive relationships

Demonstrating cultural competency

Practicing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving

Resolving conflicts constructively

Resisting negative social pressure

Showing leadership in groups

Seeking or offering support and help when needed

Standing up for the rights of others

Check out this video from PBS Learning Media for more information.

Social & Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.

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Our SEL framework, known to many as the "CASEL wheel," helps cultivate skills and environments that advance students' learning and development.

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Activity: Students can pose problems on post its and talk about the size of the problem. Teacher can place problems and student can discuss changes that should be made in terms of correct placement. This should open up discussions on how we problem solve.

Can use this Big Problem Small Problem Slide Deck

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This HyperDoc lesson was designed with Adobe Express (Canva might also be a good design tool). The intention is to help students formulate their own vision for learning -- that might extend across the school day and into their personal lives.

ENGAGE: Video to consider why goals matter (from young kids’ perspective!)

EXPLORE: Curated examples to prompt an inquiry discussion

EXPLAIN: Components of vision boards, and WHY they are useful

APPLY: Design on Adobe Express graphic template

REFLECT/SHARE: Post your creation in community with others on Padlet

EXTEND: Create an action plan to get going on your goal(s)

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Your students will love this FREE Getting to Know You Social Emotional Learning Digital Spinner. You can use this spinner for both distance learning and in-person classroom morning meetings, community building, classroom guidance lessons, lunch bunches, small groups, and individual counseling.

Comes in WholeHearted Hosted, Google Slides™, PowerPoint™, and printable versions.

If you enjoy this SEL resource, click here to find 23 more!

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Free Social Emotional Learning Digital Spinner and Dice | Back to School Fun!

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Your students will love this FREE Getting to Know You Social Emotional Learning Digital Spinner. You can use this spinner for both distance learning and in-person classroom morning meetings, community building, classroom guidance lessons, lunch bunches, small groups, and individual counseling. Come...

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The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

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The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

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When it’s time to open up your classroom library + work on expectations, this book is what you need! I love the classroom library decor we create after reading this book.

Lesson Link

https://ameliacapotosta.com/building-community-in-the-first-2-weeks-of-school/

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In only 1 writing period, help student craft a beautiful written expression of who they are! #identity #createanddesign
Your Name

Physical description

Physical description

Physical description

Your Heritage

Your Family

Hobby

Hobby

Hobby

Hobby

Future goal

Personal value

Personal value

Personal value

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This Choice Board has variety of mindfulness tools to use with students.

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Grades K-5

It's back to school time! Soon-if not already-your classes will be brimming with new faces ready to take on the school year. Some students may already be fast friends. Others haven't shared a classroom before. And there's always someone new to the school, who may be a little nervous to meet new people. This early elementary activity is from our Second Step Program and is a fun and easy way to help students get to know each other better and find out what they have in common.

Help your students start their year out right with this simple activity. Here's what to do.

Preparation

Have students stand in two lines on either side of the room.

Rules

1. Listen to the statement I make.

2. If the statement is just like you, cross the room without touching anyone else and find an empty spot to stand in.

3. Notice who else is crossing the room at the same time.

Steps
"If you have a pet, cross the room."
Then, add or change the statements from the list below to reflect your students' lives.

1. Students cross the room if the statement applies to them.

2. Students notice who else is crossing the room.

3. Every two or three rounds, have students stop, then call on one or two students at random to name someone who is like them:

"Name two people who have a pet."
Students who crossed the room can name themselves and another person.
"We played this game so we can get to know each other and see all the ways we are alike. Knowing ways you are alike can help you make new friends."

Make a statement about positive behaviors you noticed, such as following directions and taking turns:
"I noticed _______________________ during the game. This helps us all have fun."
Possible Statements

Have a pet

Speak Spanish

Like to jump rope

Have a little sister

Like to dance

Like to play tetherball

Like to do arts and crafts

Read comic books

Collect stickers

Like to listen to music

Like to eat oranges

Have traveled to another state

Teachers, be sure to participate yourself so students can learn about you too.

Tips

This game is a great tool for helping you learn more about your students. Students show increased effort in class activities when teachers take an interest in their lives.

Variation

Have students suggest statements.

Like This Activity?

We're adding more FREE Second Step activities to our blog all the time. They're easy to find-just visit cfchildren.org/blog and search "Activity."

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Cross the Room-Activity | Committee for Children

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Grades K-5 It's back to school time! Soon-if not already-your classes will be brimming with new faces ready to take on the school year. Some students may already be fast friends. Others haven't shared a classroom before. And there's always someone new to the school, who may be a little nervous to meet new people.

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This FREE Conversation Starters digital SEL game was designed to break the ice, build rapport & community, and start meaningful conversations.
On Google Slides™ Digital Format for Distance Learning!
This Conversation Starters Freebie game is played on Google Slides™! You can use this interactive game during teletherapy and virtual small groups.

How to Play The Conversation Starter Connect Game

Taking turns, players/teams choose a number based on the spot they would like to place their pawn. Then answer the corresponding question/prompt. Move game pawn to cover the number just answered. Players continue to take turns answering questions/prompts and moving their pawn pieces until the first player/team has completed a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line of either 4 or 5 in a row.

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FREE Conversation Starters Digital SEL Game: No-Prep Fun for Small Groups!

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This FREE Conversation Starters digital SEL game was designed to break the ice, build rapport & community, and start meaningful conversations.On Google Slides™ Digital Format for Distance Learning!This Conversation Starters Freebie game is played on Google Slides™! You can use this interactive...

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The Junkyard Wonders

This. book. is. everything. It sets the tone for our entire school year, and the lessons we learn from it are invaluable. Use this book to teach about characterization + setting expectations for group work.
Lesson Link
https://ameliacapotosta.com/building-community-in-the-first-2-weeks-of-school/

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

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SRVUSD login required to access.

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Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

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Here's a playlist of Cosmic Kids Yoga Mindfulness videos.

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Techniques that build resilience and boost confidence to help us take care of our mental health! Click here for a free 33 page PDF of mental health tools and...

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Birthday Line Up

Looking for a quick and simple team building activity to do with a large group? Look no further than Birthday Line Up for a challenge that affords your group the opportunity to practice problem solving, cooperation and building (silent!) communication skills.

Time Needed: 15 minutes

Group Size: 10+ people

Materials: None

Directions: Tell participants that this activity should be completed in total silence. Explain that the goal of this activity is to line the group up according to their birthdays (month and day) without talking. The line should begin with January 1 st and end with December 31 st. Allow the group to work together silently to complete the task. Once they believe they are finished lining up, start with the beginning of the line and ask participants to say the month and day in which they were born out loud. If the group was successful, everyone will be in calendar order.

Challenging variations of this activity could include setting a time limit to complete the task or adding their birth year to the lineup requirements.
Debrief Questions:

How did the group communicate nonverbally to complete the task?

What are some ways that we communicate without words in our day-to-day lives? (Looking for responses such as body language, tone, eye contact, etc.)

Why is it important that we pay attention to nonverbal communication when working with others?

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Team Building Activity: Birthday Line Up

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Birthday Line Up Looking for a quick and simple team building activity to do with a large group? Look no further than Birthday Line Up for a challenge that affords your group the opportunity to practice problem solving, cooperation and building (silent!) communication skills.

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Online resource: Would you rather? card game

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Online resource: Would you rather? card game

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Would you rather have ice cream or a cookie for dessert?, Would you rather have a cat or dog?, Would you rather play soccer or basketball?, Would you rather go to the beach or the zoo?, What is the best game to play at recess?, What is your favorite subject in school?, If you could have one toy, what would you choose?, If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?, If you could have a new pet, what animal would you choose?, If you could plan your next field trip, where would you go?, If you were forced to spend the rest of your life in a library or museum or a zoo, which would you choose?, If you could have any super power, which super power would you choose?, If you could be a wild animal, which wild animal would you become?, If you could visit another country or state, what country or state would you visit?, What is your favorite book?, What is your favorite ice cream flavor?, What is your favorite candy?, What is your favorite game to play with your family?, What would you like to be when you grow up?, Should we have uniforms at school?, What do you think is the most important invention?, Would you rather live in a forest or at the beach?.

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Would you rather have ice cream or a cookie for dessert?, Would you rather have a cat or dog?, Would you rather play soccer or basketball?.

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REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

How are the grandfather and the boy similar to each other? How are they different from each other?

How are you and your grandparents (or older people you know well) similar to or different from each other?

This book teaches that drawing with each other can be a way to get close to each other. What other things do people do together that brings them closer together?

What do you see? Think? Wonder?

ACTIVITY:

Pass out blank papers.

Fold paper in half.

Pick one side and draw a picture.

Now find a classmate sitting at a different table than you and trade papers.

Draw a picture on the blank half of the paper that adds to your partner's drawing.

Get back together with your partner and talk about your pictures together.

Students can either sit next to each other or apart from each other. Apart is fun so they don't see what their partner is drawing!

After drawing, give partnerships time to discuss their process! What do they notice about the final product?

Prompt students to find a partner sitting across the room.

Brainstorm a list of things to do together that could help you find common ground, without using words!

Pick one of those ideas and do it.

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Drawn Together by Minh Le,  2019 2020 Red Clover Read Aloud

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Dr. Seuss books have long been held up as parables. For years, we've celebrated when Sam-I-Am's persistence pays off and felt our hearts grow three sizes right along with the Grinch. But in February 2019, a groundbreaking study pinpointed in depth what people had been saying for years: White supremacy lurks in the pages of many Seuss books. The foundation of the easy-to-spot morals of the stories were disturbing depictions of people of color and racialized nonhuman characters. The study led a number of educators to wonder, How could these racist ideas exist alongside such valuable lessons? Alongside such kindness?

Educators, particularly elementary educators like me, are good at talking and teaching about kindness. It's at the core of elementary pedagogy, after all: those lessons and teachable moments related to being a good friend, being generous and acting thoughtfully. But when being considerate, nice and friendly is all children learn about how to treat one another, we risk losing something fundamental.

Young children are not only developing a sense of morality; they are developing a sense of who they are. This includes their race, gender, class and more. These identities have never been treated or represented equally in our society, so when we teach about love, acceptance and kindness without addressing this inequity, we gloss over crucial differences in the ways our students experience the world.

The harm done by long-term exposure to injustice-to the kind of imagery found in racist books, microaggressions and discrimination-calls for more than a simple understanding of kindness. It demands that kindness be interwoven with substantial notions of true justice. That's why, in my first-grade classroom, my goal was to guide students' thinking in terms of real justice. I used a set of principles that went beyond kindness and moved toward specific actions students could take to counter bias and stereotypes and work for a more equitable future.

Building a More Just Curriculum

The first step was making space in my curriculum for the difficult realities of systemic injustice.

It's easy, for example, to study the civil rights movement and cherry-pick quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King that focus on everyone getting along. But we can also show students that his famous speech imagining a world where children are judged "by the content of their character" is also the one in which he refuses half-measures toward equity, saying, "No, no, we are not satisfied. And we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."

Focusing on the dream of an equitable future without teaching the reality of an inequitable present ignores the radical anti-racism work that King and his contemporaries undertook at great risk and greater cost. It paints the false narrative that kindness is all we need to make social progress. And worse, it suggests that kindness has already won.

In my classes, instead of whitewashing these heroes, I wanted to paint a more detailed picture: They were flawed, human, ambitious, organized. Students deserve fuller stories of King, Gandhi, Rigoberta Menchú and others who practiced nonviolence while working for justice. They deserve tales told with nuance and complexities so they can learn what it really means to be an ally rather than a sanitized idol. Allowing students access to a fuller story helps them see that, even with healthy doses of love and compassion, kindness alone rarely brings about change. Change requires a real understanding of what injustice looks like-and a plan to combat it.

But building a just curriculum isn't only about teaching history in a responsible way. It's also about ensuring that all of our students are represented in our studies and that all are respected in our classrooms. Many schools make use of social emotional learning (SEL) curricula. Audits of SEL curricula and practices can make sure that the end result isn't simply a more emotionally literate version of kindness.

I've used a variety of programs that aim to increase emotional intelligence, but they sometimes fall short of truly honoring children's feelings, where they come from and how they're treated. A just SEL curriculum honors differences and recognizes that emotions don't exist in a vacuum. It also accounts for the history of pathologizing emotional expression by women and people of color and corrects for it.

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Teaching kindness is a staple of elementary practice, but that isn't the same as teaching justice.

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OFFER A QUICK CONNECTION If you could meet any famous person and ask him or her a question, who would it be and what would you ask? News & Updates Get to Know Harmony SEL and Inspire Teaching & Learning Trainings & Webinars Attending a Live Training Session?

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OFFER A QUICK CONNECTION

If you could meet any famous person and ask him or her a question, who would it be and what would you ask?

News & Updates

Get to Know Harmony SEL and Inspire Teaching & Learning

Trainings & Webinars

Attending a Live Training Session?

OFFER A QUICK CONNECTION

If you could meet any famous person and ask him or her a question, who would it be and what would you ask?

Family Letter

Welcome Letter

Pacing Plan

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OFFER A QUICK CONNECTION If you could meet any famous person and ask him or her a question, who would it be and what would you ask? News & Updates Get to Know Harmony SEL and Inspire Teaching & Learning Trainings & Webinars Attending a Live Training Session?

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This FREE Social Emotional Learning Daily Check-In Journal Sample Pack is designed to not only teach your students SEL skills, but also helps you to check in on your students' social and emotional wellness. Great for morning meetings, journal writing, and school counseling interventions.

This resource includes 2 weeks of daily SEL check-ins and skills practice, sampled from WholeHearted's Social Emotional Learning Daily Check-In Journal Bundle.

-Use virtually or in person

-Comes in both Google Slides™ and printable formats (color and black and white).

-Topics include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsibility and decision making.

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Free Social Emotional Learning Check-In Journal | SEL Activities

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This FREE Social Emotional Learning Daily Check-In Journal Sample Pack is designed to not only teach your students SEL skills, but also helps you to check in on your students' social and emotional wellness. Great for morning meetings, journal writing, and school counseling interventions. This resour...

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Just as challenging as it can be for adults to get comfortable with new people, it's no different for kids! To help you break the ice in the classroom, ignite a spirit of collaboration and fun, and get your learners better acquainted with one another, try a few of our creative team-building activities! With 48 captivating ideas to choose from, you now have a wealth of methods to engage and support learners who struggle with communication and social skills. Dive right in to discover your new favorite team-building activity!

1. Silent Line Up

What parent or teacher doesn't love a silent game? Students have to line up based on personal facts about themselves, but the objective is to do it silently! Students can line up based on age, birthday, or letters in their names.

Learn More: Line of Silence

2. Team Scavenger Hunt

This is a fun activity to get students to work collaboratively. Scavenger hunts require communication, strategizing skills, and teamwork! Divide students up into teams (3-4 teams based on group size) and provide them with clues to see who can solve them the fastest.

Learn More: Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids Free Printable - Thrifty NW Mom

3. Hula Hoop Pass

In this activity, students have to use their bodies to pass a hula hoop. Students will stand side-by-side in a line holding hands. Put a hula hoop on the arm of the first person. The objective of this game is for students to get the hula hoop down the line while still holding hands. What a great way to build teamwork and practice communication!

Learn more: Hula Hoop Pass

4. Blind Mice

Test your listening, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Set up a simple obstacle course and break students up into teams. One team member will complete the obstacle course while their teammates give them verbal instructions. Students can play for fun or you can set a time limit for a challenge.

Learn More: City Magazine

5. Trust Ball

This is another silent game for kids that promotes communication and teamwork skills. Students stand in a circle and try to pass the ball around to every student without using any words or sounds. The objective of the game is to get the ball to everyone without dropping the ball. If the ball drops, you have to start over! Each student should hold up a finger to represent how many times they've had the ball. Healthy competition can be held between teams to determine how many times they can pass the ball to everyone in the circle without dropping it. The team that passes the ball the most wins.

6. Build it Challenge

One of the best ways to improve team-building skills is by working together to solve a problem. Fill baskets for each team with random supplies (cups, popsicles, sticks, tape, etc.) Students build the tallest tower using all of the materials in the basket. The tallest tower wins!

Learn More: Tower Challenge

7. Lego Challenge

The things you can do with Legos! Break your students into teams and challenge them to create a structure (robot, building, house, etc.) in a set amount of time.

Learn More: 60 Second Lego Challenge

8. Relay Races

There are so many different ways you can get students to work collaboratively with relay races! This outdoor activity is fun, challenging, and requires students to be able to solve problems while working together as a team. For the different relay, race ideas check out 45 Fun Relay Races.

Learn More: Kid Activities

9. Community projects

Students working together for a greater cause is a great way to build a community while serving others. Students can build social and life skills while painting a gate in the community or planting a community garden. Allow students to come up with some ideas based on the needs of their community.

Learn More: Amber Melanie Smith

10. Marshmallow Challenge

Although the supplies needed for this activity are simple, the task is challenging! Teams have to build a standing tower using marshmallows, toothpicks or spaghetti, tape, and string. The tallest-standing tower wins!

Learn More: Mad About Science

11. Compass Walk

This activity requires trust! Students have to rely on the direction and guidance of their partners. Break students into pairs. Identify a certain object for students to walk to, this could be a construction cone, chair, or a tree. One student closes their eyes while their partner walks alongside guiding them with verbal directions.

Learn More: Play Meo

12. Lean Walk Challenge

Lean Walk Challenge is another challenge that builds trust between partners. Designate a finish line and pair students. Students lean into each other (shoulder-shoulder) and try to walk to the finish line.

Learn More: Play Meo

13. Rock, Paper, Scissor Challenge

This is one of my favorite challenges to do with all grades and ages. Everyone starts out in pairs. Each pair plays a game of rock, paper scissors. The winner of the game goes to find another winner, while the person who loses follows the winner and becomes their cheerleader. The game ends with two people competing while their cheerleaders cheer on all the people they beat. Whoever wins the match against the last two people wins the challenge.

14. Guess Who

Listening skills, communication, and memorization are all the skills needed to win this game. To prepare for this activity, have students write down one special fact about themselves and collect each fact. Give students a set amount of time to find a partner and a set time to talk to that partner. After every student has paired, bring everyone back together. Students will guess who the special fact is about based on the conversations they had with each student. Whoever matches the most facts with the correct students win.

15. Making Connections

Students complete a task while looking for common interests. Pick one student to start the connection. The student stands with one hand on the hip and then speaks a statement about himself. Any student who shares the same statement will appear and establish contact with the student. Next, the second student shares a statement, and so on, until everyone is standing in a straight line connected by the arm.

Learn More: Play Meo

16. Over the Electric Fence

Problem-solving is more fun when you're doing it together. Students have to strategize a way to get over the electric fence while staying connected. Tie the two chairs together with rope. The string should be about 3 feet off the ground. Break students into groups of 3 or 4. Give students a set amount of time to figure out how to get over the fence.

Learn More: Book Widgets

17. Escape the Classroom

Groups will have to solve clues to figure out how to escape the room. Create a set of different clues around the classroom. Groups will go around the room searching and solving the clues that will lead them to victory!

Learn More: Book Widgets

18. Shrinking Classroom

Divide your classroom into two groups and assign students to each group. Use ropes to set boundaries for each group. Start by moving the rope to reduce the student's standing space. The objective of this competitive activity is for students to find a way to stay inside the boundaries as it shrinks. The group that finds a way to stay in the smallest space wins!

Learn More: Book Widgets

19. Blind Artist

In this activity, students have to rely on their partner's communication skills to draw a picture. Pair students and instruct them to sit back-to-back. One student will instruct their partner to draw a picture. When the timer goes off, students will compare their pictures to see how well their partner was listening.

Learn More: Book Widgets

20. Falling Trees

Falling trees is a game of trust. One student stands in the middle of a close circle surrounded by classmates. The student stiffly falls forward or backward, as the student falls one of his classmates catches them and pushes them to the other side of the circle. The goal is not to drop the tree.

Learn More: Book Widgets

21. Build a Story

Build a story is a creative way to get students to work collaboratively. This activity is great for kids over the age of 7 to develop their interpersonal skills. Teams will work together to write a story. Each student will be responsible for building a different part of the story. Stories can be shared once they are finished.

Learn more: Everything Mom

22. Crossing the Line

This is activity is harder than it seems. Students have to figure out how to cross a line, but the catch is they have to cross the line all at the same time. Communication, patience, and strategy are needed to complete this task.

Learn More: Everything Mom

23. Karaoke Routine

Yes! Karaoke is a team-building activity! It's a silly way to collaborate while showing off your singing skills. Students are split into groups and they have to pick a song to perform. Creating dance routines, assigning roles, and adding props are fun ways to bring this activity to life.

Learn More: Everything Mom

24. Murder Mystery

Who doesn't enjoy solving a mystery? Create clues and pick a theme for your murder mystery. Assign characters to students and encourage them to dress the part!

Learn More: Everything Mom

25. Thankful Challenge

This is an indoor team-building activity that can be done throughout the year to reinforce community dynamics. Pair students and tell them they have 3 minutes to find something in the room to gift to their partner. Students have to find a gift and find a way to wrap it in 3 minutes. The person that finishes the fastest wins.

Learn More: Everything Mom

26. Building a Card Tower

Students have to build a standing tower using a deck of cards. Students can get creative with the structure of their towers, but the only rule is that they can only use cards!

Learn More: Feel Good Teaching

27. Teamwork: Stack Cup

All you need for this activity are cups, rubber bands, and string. Stack the six cups only using the strings! Each student will be given a cup with a rubber band and string attached to it. Each student is responsible for stacking their cup using only the string. The first team to finish wins.

Learn More: Ms. Sepp's Counselor Corner

28. Straw Bridge Challenge

Students work together to build a bridge using straws, popsicle sticks, and tape. Arrange a time for students to plan and build. Once the bridges are done, the real challenge begins! Bridges that can bear the weight of objects will win!

Learn More: Take The Straw Bridge Challenge!

29. A Top of the Tower

This is another activity that requires students to work as a team to plan and build. Using pencils and tape, students will build a tower that is strong enough to hold an object of their choice. The object can be a stuffed animal or a small action figure.

Learn More: Elementary Island Blog

30. Paper Chain Race

This activity ends with a highly anticipated race! Students race to create the longest paper chain they can create in a set amount of time (Younger students will need more time). Arrange each set of paper chains to compare the length. Whatever team has the longest paper chain wins.

Learn More: The Math Chick

31. Wheelbarrow Race

Get ready to spark some joyous laughter and teamwork with the good old wheelbarrow race! Pair your students off and have one of each duo grasp the ankles of their partner, who then takes off on their hands. You'll need a clear space and a marked finish line. The duo who reaches the end first, while maintaining their hilarious yet challenging position, is crowned victorious!

Learn More: Party Games 4 Kids

32. Flag Making

Dive into a world of colors, symbols, and creativity with the Flag Making activity! Split the class into teams and equip them with fabric, paint, brushes, and other embellishments to craft their unique flags. They'll need to brainstorm a fitting emblem and name for their team. What an excellent activity to ignite creativity and foster collaboration!

Learn More: Pinterest

33. Indoor Camping

Ever fancied a camp inside the classroom? With this activity, that's exactly what you get. Using chairs, blankets, flashlights, and any other handy classroom materials, the teams should aim to construct a snug indoor campsite. This exciting mission promotes problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to think out of the box!

Learn More: Plenty

34. Human Knot

This activity adds a twist to team-building. Have all students stand in a circle and reach across to hold hands with two people not directly next to them. The aim? Untangle this knot without letting go of each other's hands. Keep an eye out for the laughter, communication, and bond growing among students!

Learn More: Icebreaker Ideas

35. Choreograph a Dance

Let your students move to the rhythm and sync in harmony with the Choreograph a Dance activity! Encourage them to work in groups, pick their favorite tune, and create a captivating dance routine to perform for the class. Nothing like a dose of music and movement to foster creativity and cooperation!

Learn More: YouTube

36. Chain Reaction

Remember those whimsical Rube Goldberg machines? Now it's your students' turn to create one! With this activity, they'll need to construct a complex device performing a simple task using dominoes, marbles, and other readily available materials. An ideal choice for spurring problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork!

Learn More: YouTube

37. Balloon Stomp

Let the stomp-off begin! In this thrilling activity, tie a balloon to each student's ankle. The objective? Pop other participants' balloons while guarding your own. Set up clear boundaries for the game area. It's an engaging way to encourage strategic thinking and cooperation.

Learn More: Mumfidential

38. Tug of War

Rekindle the classic spirit of teamwork and strength with Tug of War. Divide your students into two equally matched teams, grab a sturdy rope, and mark the center point and the 'pit' on either side. The team that pulls the opposing team over their pit line wins!

Learn More: Ravenox

39. Create a Play

Unleash the dramatist within your students! Encourage groups to write their own script, develop characters, and design props for a short play. Provide them with a theme or leave it to their imaginations. The stage is theirs, and it's a brilliant way to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Learn More: Twinkl

40. Team Sports

How about a mini sports day? Set up games of basketball, soccer, or volleyball where students can compete in teams. This activity not only enhances physical fitness but also promotes the spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Learn More: Australian Sports Camps

41. Group Jigsaw Puzzle

Engage your students in a test of patience, communication, and cooperation with a jumbo jigsaw puzzle. Each team is presented with a large puzzle (1000 pieces or more) to complete. Keep a clock ticking for the added thrill!

Learn More: Southern Living

42. Newspaper Fashion Show

Here's a challenge that blends creativity, teamwork, and a whole lot of fun - a Newspaper Fashion Show! Using just newspaper and tape, each group crafts an outfit for one member to strut down the classroom runway in. May the most creative outfit win!

Learn More: Pinterest

43. Story Chain

Time for a storytelling rollercoaster! Begin with a sentence to start the story, and have each student add their own twist and turn. The key is to maintain the plot while making it as imaginative as possible. An excellent way to stimulate creativity, active listening, and cooperation.

Learn More: The Homeschool Mom

44. Community Mural

Art, teamwork, and a sense of community come together in this activity. Teams collaborate to paint a large-scale mural that showcases the essence of their community, using paints, brushes, and a whole lot of creativity.

Learn More: The Community Word

45. Mimic the Leader

A game of attention to detail and teamwork! Choose a leader who performs actions that the rest of the class must replicate. For added fun, change the leader after each round.

Learn More: Empowered Parents

46. Team Cooking Challenge

Nothing brings people together like cooking. Divide the class into teams, assign a simple recipe, and let them work their culinary magic! You can do this with no heat recipes or use a portable stove under your supervision. It's a delicious way to encourage cooperation, creativity, and life skills.

Learn More: The Boston Calendar

47. Garden Planting

Time for some green fingers! Teams come together to plant and nurture a mini garden. From choosing the plants to regularly watering them, it's a beautiful lesson in teamwork, patience, and love for nature.

Learn More: Baba Mail

48. Classroom Decoration Competition

Let your classroom reflect the creativity of your students! Divide the class into teams, decide on themes, and let each team transform a section of the classroom. What a wonderful activity to foster creativity, teamwork, and a sense of belonging in the classroom.

Learn More: SIS Myanmar

Team-building activities and games for kids help build trust while also promoting communication, problem-solving, and team skills. All these activity ideas for kids are easy to do in a classroom, hallway, or outdoors and are easy to set up. See the excitement and determination in your students as they take on different challenges. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a team-building activity?

A team-building activity is a task that motivates people to work together. Strengths are revealed through completing a task together.

What are some fun team-building activities for kids?

Fun team-building activities engage and motivate students to complete a task. The keyword is fun! When participating in activities, students will be more comfortable exploring their own challenges and advantages.

How do you teach kids teamwork?

Kids learn teamwork the same way they learn any other skill, which is practice. Providing students with activities that require them to work together maximizes communication, problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills.

What makes a good team?

A good team should run like a well-oiled machine. Qualities of a good team are communicating well with each other, focusing on a common goal and results, and everyone doing their equal share.

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48 Creative Team-Building Activities For Kids - Teaching Expertise

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Team building activities for kids are an easy way to engage students and support students who struggle with communication and social skills.

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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If you could spend your birthday with one person, who would it be and why?, If you could be any other age than what you are right now, what would it be?.

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Play this read aloud  -  have students share out what they think is the best part of them! They can even write out  their reflection too (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Best-Part-of-Me-Extension-Project-3014914?st=718a976103cafd766386dc2da946feb3)

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Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards

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Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards

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I Am Special (TK-2)

Who Has Hair? (K-2)

Identity Posters (K-5)

Why Frogs & Snakes Never Play Together (K-5)

What Are Gender Stereotypes? (K-5)

Different Colors of Beauty (K-5)

Picturing Accessibility (Art, Activism and Physical Disabilities) (K-5)

Quilting our Diverse Classroom (3-5)

My Way is Not the Only Way (3-5)

What Makes a Family? (3-5)

Caring for Hair (3-5)

The Philosopher’s Stone (3-5)

My Multicultural Self (3-5)

The Shape of Home (3-5)

Communication (verbal/nonverbal) (3-5)

Place as a Mirror of Self and Community (3-5)