In a guiding exercise, student uses verbal instructions to guide blindfolded students through a short obstacle course. The goal is to teach trust, and the importance of giving good instructions, while working well as a group. Set up a short obstacle course in your classroom, using road cones or chairs. Place your students in small groups, blindfolding one member of each group. Instruct groups to take turns, leading their blindfolded member through the obstacle course.
Group story games enable each student to contribute one element of a story as the group creates a full story together. For example, cut out strips of paper, writing a different element of a story on each sliver of paper, such as “Setting: lunch room” or “Character: Principal Evans.” Instruct each student to pick a piece of paper from a bag. Each group works together to incorporate each element from their group while creating a story together. The goal is to teach teamwork, while allowing students to express themselves.
Teach your students teamwork while they confront a physical challenge together. For example, place your students in pairs, and provide a challenge for them to accomplish as a pair, such as a three-legged race or a race in which all team members must continue touching each other on the elbow or heel. Encourage them to develop creative ways of moving together while remaining connected.
Help students work together to complete a large project, such as a large classroom collage or a large drawing project. Provide a large piece of paper for your kids to work with. Encourage them to bring pictures of themselves and their families from home, to add to the collage. Instruct them to draw additional pictures on the paper, and then paste the photographs on the large collage.