Team Builders
3” X 5” Card Towers (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Each group gets 1 pack of 3x5 inch index cards and a single strip of masking tape. The group’s task is to building a free-standing tower that is taller than the other groups. (Groups should not be over 6 people.) A strict time limit should be enforced. The group can not use any other materials and they do not get more tape. They may bend or tear the cards as they wish. It must also be free-standing which means that it needs to be on the floor and not leaning against anything. Measure the towers to determine the winning groups.
Challenge: Don’t allow the groups to talk or assign specific group members tasks that only they can do. For example, on person holds all the cards, one person controls the tape, etc. Forcing them to work together.
AWSP Resources
Check out the ideas and activities resources on the Association of Washington School Principal Website. Click here.
Balloon Sculptures (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Give each group a large supply of balloons and a roll of tape. It is the task of the group to build a sculpture that towers higher then any other groups. Balloon colors can be assigned to different people dictating that only that person gets to touch that color, encouraging total participation.
Blanket Ball (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Must have two or more teams standing around their blanket. Each team member grips the edge of their team’s blanket with both hands creating a cradle in which for the ball to be thrown and caught. The challenge is working together to thrust the ball up and out of the blanket in a manner that is can be caught by the other team’s blanket group. Be sure to talk about safety before this activity. Pulling unexpectedly hard on one side of the blanket can pull a team member off of their feet. A large area is best so group can move, adjust, and throw the ball high. Once the groups get good at it, have them count the number of successful catches without having the ball drop and challenge them to beat their score.
Calculator (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Place 30 numbered spots in an area that has been sectioned off with a rope or other markers. Numbers should be in random order. The team goes to the boundary area to touch the buttons one at a time in numerical order. Only one person can be in the boundary area at one time. Be strict on this rule and time how long it takes the team to complete the task. Each member of the team must touch at least one number. Give the group a chance to improve their score with planning time in between. Debrief questions include: What roles did people play? Whose voices were heard the most during planning? How did you improve your time? What do you know about this group that you did not know before?
Change in Appearance (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
This activity is done in pairs and is meant to challenge your level of observation. In a pair, two people go back to back and change 5 things about their appearance. The two then face again and see if they can tell what was changed. The group turn around and change 5 more things, repeating the process. Can go another 5, where participants will start telling you how hard this assignment is. Debrief questions include: What does it fell like?, What did you think?, What reflects on the change process?
Extension Cord Confusion (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Place loosely tied knots in a long, heavy-duty extension cord about 2-3 feet apart. Lay the cord on the ground in front of a group. Ask each group member to pick up the cord with one hand only. Once everyone has their hand on it, their hands become superglued to the cord and they can not let go. At this time, the group is challenged to get the knots untied. This activity adds nice variety for groups who have already done a group knot by holding hands.
Graphing the Group (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Divide a large group into smaller groups of 4–10. Each group gets a long length of string (approximately one yard of string is needed per person). The goal of the activity is for each group to graph their likes and dislikes by making a human line graph for the other groups to see. The fun of this activity comes from working together and from stopping after each graph to look at the other groups to learn their likes and dislikes.
TO LEAD ACTIVITY:
1. Have the group line up in a straight line with each person holding the string. Make sure that there is extra string on each end.
2. Describe to the group that there are five levels of opinion on this line graph. Do this by modeling the heights as they are said. Really like it – Hold string up above head.
Like it - Hold string at nose level.
Neutral - Hold string at belly button level.
Don’t like it - Hold string at knee level.
Really don’t like it - Hold string close to the floor.
3. Make sure that the group understands that they must work together to make sure everyone has enough string to plot their point on the graph, yet have the string taut at the end.
4. Ask the group questions such as the following:
How much do you like pepperoni pizza? How about with anchovies? How much do you like disco?
The leader should have fun with these questions, designing them to fit the personality of the group.
Group Knot with Extensions (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Each group member needs a soft rope or other appropriate material approximately 1.5–2.5 feet in length. Materials can be used again and again. This activity works for group sizes between 10–20.
TO LEAD ACTIVITY:
1. Start everyone in a circle with the rope in their right hands.
2. Have each person put their right arm into the circle with the rope ends dangling.
3. Have each person grab the end of someone else’s rope with their left hand. Be sure not grab the rope of the person standing directly next to you.
4. Once all ends are claimed, it is important to not let go of the ropes. Instruct the group to get the “group knot” untied by working together as a group.
This activity is most commonly done by gripping bare hands, but the extensions make it easier on the body. Plus, it’s better for groups who don’t know each other that well.
Group Puzzle (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Give each group member a piece of a small puzzle and have them put it together. Don’t give them a lot of direction just “Your job is to assemble the pieces.” Good debriefing from the group about how “you can’t always see the big picture at first,” “it’s hard to put the pieces of a big project together and you must communicate to do it,” “some people are more comfortable diving in, while others like to hang back and watch at first,” and “some people prefer to give their pieces to other people.” Puzzles can be made out of card stock and cut apart or bought ready made.
Gumdrop Briges (submitted by Cristi Heitschmidt, Rainer High School)
In groups of 4-5, each group is given the same materials including: one paper plate, a handful o spaghetti noodles (uncooked), gumrops, orange gumdrop slices and gum drop apple rings. Each group is given the one basic direction "Your job is to build using the supplies givien and nothng else." Set a time limit and allow students to go to work!" Discussion questions: What was your group goal?, Did you discuss your plan first?, How did you come to a dicision? What cooperative methods did you use?, Who were the lead designers? Who were the best listeners? What did it take to reach a consenus? Did you ever feel like you weren't being heard? How did you handle this? What were some of the methods on communcation used by members?
Have You Ever?
Make a circle with one less chairs than people withone person standing in the middle. they begin by asking "Have you ever done something?" If you have done this you must switch spots with a person who has also done this. Last person in the middle gets to ask the next question.
Human Tic-Tac-Toe (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Place chairs in a tic-tac-toe formation. Divide the group into two teams but do not mark the teams in any way. Remembering who is on your team is part of the challenge. Allowing groups to talk or be silent can vary the challenge.
Imagine _____ High School (submitted by Julie Gwinn, Spanaway Lake High School)
Objective: Students will imagine a perfect high school like John Lennon imagined his ideas of a perefect world in his song "Imagine" and create an action plan to turn their high school into a more "perfect" place. students listen to "Imagine" by John Lennon and receive lyrics to the song. Students "re-write" the song based on what they think would make their school a better or even perfect place. Students replace lines like "imagine all the people living life in peace" with "imagine all the Sentinels participating in ASB elections." Students share their thoughts/songs. Class ends by brainstorming ways to make some common ideas reality at school.
Life Map
Get partners within your group. Use paper and make a time line of all the important events in their lives.
Race Across America (submitted by Kim Peterson, Lincoln M.S.)
This activity promotes team work, cooperation, and personal fitness. Each team, usually 10 people on a team, or can be done as a class competition, works together to compile mileage. The students can walk, jog, bicycle, or roller blade on our track--1/4 mile. Each lap is tallied--can be used even if class sizes are different by determining class average and multiplying lowest class number by each class average. As the students work their way across the state a marker, identifying their team, is placed on the state map
located on the wall. The students encourage each other as they work toward reaching Seattle first. Our Race starts in Pullman. If more specific details and information is needed, please contact me.
Rubic’s Cube Perspective (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Put a mixed up Rubic’s Cube in the middle of a room and give each person a white piece of paper and access to crayons. The task is for each person to draw the cube exactly as they see it from where they are sitting. The debriefing centers around the issues of “Does your picture look exactly like anyone else’s?” “Whose is right?” The point is no one’s picture tells the entire story of the cube and it takes listening and valuing all of the other people’s perspectives to tell the whole story. It also means trusting the people way on the other side of the cube to know that side the best. This activity can also illustrate that it would take a single person forever to run around and try to draw all the pictures. It can stimulate a discussion about the power of a group working together on a common task.
Sack of Similes (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Bring a bag full of miscellaneous items. The goal of the group is to pick items and present them to the group as something that it represents. Tell the group for example, “Pick something in the sack that represents good teaching.” Larger groups can select items in pairs or threes. Examples of items in a sack include: highlighter pen, battery, paper clip, penny, key, rubber band, etc. Going through a junk drawer usually turns up more than enough items for this activity.
Shapes of String (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Cut a large strip of string, yarn or rope so that each group member can hold it with both hands and not let go of their position. Have the group shape the circle of string into a variety of shapes including a square, triangle, stop sign, star. Having the participants close their eyes can make it very challenging. Size of group and string can vary.
Skewer Stick Through Balloon (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Each person gets a balloon and a wooden skewer sick. (Make sure that the sticks have sharp tips and no slivers) The activity starts with the leader blowing up a balloon to medium size and asking the group what will happen if you push the stick into the balloon. Most responses will be,”It will pop!” The leader explains that most of the time, most think that is true, but if you have an expert to give you additional strategies and a structure to help you through it; it can be done! The trick: stick the skewer through the base by the knot first. This will have enough extra rubber to create a seal. The exit is a little harder. The tip of the stick must pass through the extra rubber at the exact top of the balloon. Hold the fingers of one hand on either side of the top spot to give it a little structure while you push and twist the stick through with the other hand. IT WORKS, REALLY! Debrief topics that usually come up include how it’s scary to try something new, some people like to watch first, sometimes you’re not successful on the first round and you have to try again. Note: The only part of the activity that does not serve as an analogy is that the balloons deflate faster than normal.
Strawzercise (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Suspend straws in the air between the pointer fingers of each group member in a circle. Challenge the group to raise the straws up and them down, to move 360 degrees around, to cross turn their arms so they are facing outward without dropping straws.
TO LEAD ACTIVITY:
1. Start everyone in a circle with a straw in their right hand.
2. Have them point their left hand pointer finger at the person on their left.
3. Place straw on the tip on the finger of the person on your right.
Strength in Numbers (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.) This activity demonstrates that each person has unique characteristics to bring to the group, and as we work as a team, we grow stronger.
TO LEAD ACTIVITY:
1. Each person in the group gets a tongue depressor. Using a permanent marker, each person writes words on the stick that represent personal strengths and attributes they bring to the larger group.
2. Once finished, go around the group and have people share what they wrote on their stick.
3. The leader starts with a blank stick and demonstrates how easily it can be broken if it is over loaded.
4. Then, the leader puts two blank sticks together and shows how it is harder to snap 2 sticks, and 3, etc.
5. The leader then gathers all the sticks together and discusses how each person brings strength to the
team. Demonstrate how impossible it is to break. (The whole is greater than its parts!)
Zen Countdown (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.) Have the group count to a given number where each person says a number and no one interrupts anyone else. The magic of this activity is to create synergy where each person can tell when to throw out a number. If more then one person says a number, the group starts back at the beginning. The activity can vary by having group members put their heads down and do it blind.
Each group gets 1 pack of 3x5 inch index cards and a single strip of masking tape. The group’s task is to building a free-standing tower that is taller than the other groups. (Groups should not be over 6 people.) A strict time limit should be enforced. The group can not use any other materials and they do not get more tape. They may bend or tear the cards as they wish. It must also be free-standing which means that it needs to be on the floor and not leaning against anything. Measure the towers to determine the winning groups.
Challenge: Don’t allow the groups to talk or assign specific group members tasks that only they can do. For example, on person holds all the cards, one person controls the tape, etc. Forcing them to work together.
AWSP Resources
Check out the ideas and activities resources on the Association of Washington School Principal Website. Click here.
Balloon Sculptures (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Give each group a large supply of balloons and a roll of tape. It is the task of the group to build a sculpture that towers higher then any other groups. Balloon colors can be assigned to different people dictating that only that person gets to touch that color, encouraging total participation.
Blanket Ball (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Must have two or more teams standing around their blanket. Each team member grips the edge of their team’s blanket with both hands creating a cradle in which for the ball to be thrown and caught. The challenge is working together to thrust the ball up and out of the blanket in a manner that is can be caught by the other team’s blanket group. Be sure to talk about safety before this activity. Pulling unexpectedly hard on one side of the blanket can pull a team member off of their feet. A large area is best so group can move, adjust, and throw the ball high. Once the groups get good at it, have them count the number of successful catches without having the ball drop and challenge them to beat their score.
Calculator (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Place 30 numbered spots in an area that has been sectioned off with a rope or other markers. Numbers should be in random order. The team goes to the boundary area to touch the buttons one at a time in numerical order. Only one person can be in the boundary area at one time. Be strict on this rule and time how long it takes the team to complete the task. Each member of the team must touch at least one number. Give the group a chance to improve their score with planning time in between. Debrief questions include: What roles did people play? Whose voices were heard the most during planning? How did you improve your time? What do you know about this group that you did not know before?
Change in Appearance (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
This activity is done in pairs and is meant to challenge your level of observation. In a pair, two people go back to back and change 5 things about their appearance. The two then face again and see if they can tell what was changed. The group turn around and change 5 more things, repeating the process. Can go another 5, where participants will start telling you how hard this assignment is. Debrief questions include: What does it fell like?, What did you think?, What reflects on the change process?
Extension Cord Confusion (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Place loosely tied knots in a long, heavy-duty extension cord about 2-3 feet apart. Lay the cord on the ground in front of a group. Ask each group member to pick up the cord with one hand only. Once everyone has their hand on it, their hands become superglued to the cord and they can not let go. At this time, the group is challenged to get the knots untied. This activity adds nice variety for groups who have already done a group knot by holding hands.
Graphing the Group (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Divide a large group into smaller groups of 4–10. Each group gets a long length of string (approximately one yard of string is needed per person). The goal of the activity is for each group to graph their likes and dislikes by making a human line graph for the other groups to see. The fun of this activity comes from working together and from stopping after each graph to look at the other groups to learn their likes and dislikes.
TO LEAD ACTIVITY:
1. Have the group line up in a straight line with each person holding the string. Make sure that there is extra string on each end.
2. Describe to the group that there are five levels of opinion on this line graph. Do this by modeling the heights as they are said. Really like it – Hold string up above head.
Like it - Hold string at nose level.
Neutral - Hold string at belly button level.
Don’t like it - Hold string at knee level.
Really don’t like it - Hold string close to the floor.
3. Make sure that the group understands that they must work together to make sure everyone has enough string to plot their point on the graph, yet have the string taut at the end.
4. Ask the group questions such as the following:
How much do you like pepperoni pizza? How about with anchovies? How much do you like disco?
The leader should have fun with these questions, designing them to fit the personality of the group.
Group Knot with Extensions (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Each group member needs a soft rope or other appropriate material approximately 1.5–2.5 feet in length. Materials can be used again and again. This activity works for group sizes between 10–20.
TO LEAD ACTIVITY:
1. Start everyone in a circle with the rope in their right hands.
2. Have each person put their right arm into the circle with the rope ends dangling.
3. Have each person grab the end of someone else’s rope with their left hand. Be sure not grab the rope of the person standing directly next to you.
4. Once all ends are claimed, it is important to not let go of the ropes. Instruct the group to get the “group knot” untied by working together as a group.
This activity is most commonly done by gripping bare hands, but the extensions make it easier on the body. Plus, it’s better for groups who don’t know each other that well.
Group Puzzle (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Give each group member a piece of a small puzzle and have them put it together. Don’t give them a lot of direction just “Your job is to assemble the pieces.” Good debriefing from the group about how “you can’t always see the big picture at first,” “it’s hard to put the pieces of a big project together and you must communicate to do it,” “some people are more comfortable diving in, while others like to hang back and watch at first,” and “some people prefer to give their pieces to other people.” Puzzles can be made out of card stock and cut apart or bought ready made.
Gumdrop Briges (submitted by Cristi Heitschmidt, Rainer High School)
In groups of 4-5, each group is given the same materials including: one paper plate, a handful o spaghetti noodles (uncooked), gumrops, orange gumdrop slices and gum drop apple rings. Each group is given the one basic direction "Your job is to build using the supplies givien and nothng else." Set a time limit and allow students to go to work!" Discussion questions: What was your group goal?, Did you discuss your plan first?, How did you come to a dicision? What cooperative methods did you use?, Who were the lead designers? Who were the best listeners? What did it take to reach a consenus? Did you ever feel like you weren't being heard? How did you handle this? What were some of the methods on communcation used by members?
Have You Ever?
Make a circle with one less chairs than people withone person standing in the middle. they begin by asking "Have you ever done something?" If you have done this you must switch spots with a person who has also done this. Last person in the middle gets to ask the next question.
Human Tic-Tac-Toe (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Place chairs in a tic-tac-toe formation. Divide the group into two teams but do not mark the teams in any way. Remembering who is on your team is part of the challenge. Allowing groups to talk or be silent can vary the challenge.
Imagine _____ High School (submitted by Julie Gwinn, Spanaway Lake High School)
Objective: Students will imagine a perfect high school like John Lennon imagined his ideas of a perefect world in his song "Imagine" and create an action plan to turn their high school into a more "perfect" place. students listen to "Imagine" by John Lennon and receive lyrics to the song. Students "re-write" the song based on what they think would make their school a better or even perfect place. Students replace lines like "imagine all the people living life in peace" with "imagine all the Sentinels participating in ASB elections." Students share their thoughts/songs. Class ends by brainstorming ways to make some common ideas reality at school.
Life Map
Get partners within your group. Use paper and make a time line of all the important events in their lives.
Race Across America (submitted by Kim Peterson, Lincoln M.S.)
This activity promotes team work, cooperation, and personal fitness. Each team, usually 10 people on a team, or can be done as a class competition, works together to compile mileage. The students can walk, jog, bicycle, or roller blade on our track--1/4 mile. Each lap is tallied--can be used even if class sizes are different by determining class average and multiplying lowest class number by each class average. As the students work their way across the state a marker, identifying their team, is placed on the state map
located on the wall. The students encourage each other as they work toward reaching Seattle first. Our Race starts in Pullman. If more specific details and information is needed, please contact me.
Rubic’s Cube Perspective (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Put a mixed up Rubic’s Cube in the middle of a room and give each person a white piece of paper and access to crayons. The task is for each person to draw the cube exactly as they see it from where they are sitting. The debriefing centers around the issues of “Does your picture look exactly like anyone else’s?” “Whose is right?” The point is no one’s picture tells the entire story of the cube and it takes listening and valuing all of the other people’s perspectives to tell the whole story. It also means trusting the people way on the other side of the cube to know that side the best. This activity can also illustrate that it would take a single person forever to run around and try to draw all the pictures. It can stimulate a discussion about the power of a group working together on a common task.
Sack of Similes (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Bring a bag full of miscellaneous items. The goal of the group is to pick items and present them to the group as something that it represents. Tell the group for example, “Pick something in the sack that represents good teaching.” Larger groups can select items in pairs or threes. Examples of items in a sack include: highlighter pen, battery, paper clip, penny, key, rubber band, etc. Going through a junk drawer usually turns up more than enough items for this activity.
Shapes of String (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Cut a large strip of string, yarn or rope so that each group member can hold it with both hands and not let go of their position. Have the group shape the circle of string into a variety of shapes including a square, triangle, stop sign, star. Having the participants close their eyes can make it very challenging. Size of group and string can vary.
Skewer Stick Through Balloon (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Each person gets a balloon and a wooden skewer sick. (Make sure that the sticks have sharp tips and no slivers) The activity starts with the leader blowing up a balloon to medium size and asking the group what will happen if you push the stick into the balloon. Most responses will be,”It will pop!” The leader explains that most of the time, most think that is true, but if you have an expert to give you additional strategies and a structure to help you through it; it can be done! The trick: stick the skewer through the base by the knot first. This will have enough extra rubber to create a seal. The exit is a little harder. The tip of the stick must pass through the extra rubber at the exact top of the balloon. Hold the fingers of one hand on either side of the top spot to give it a little structure while you push and twist the stick through with the other hand. IT WORKS, REALLY! Debrief topics that usually come up include how it’s scary to try something new, some people like to watch first, sometimes you’re not successful on the first round and you have to try again. Note: The only part of the activity that does not serve as an analogy is that the balloons deflate faster than normal.
Strawzercise (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.)
Suspend straws in the air between the pointer fingers of each group member in a circle. Challenge the group to raise the straws up and them down, to move 360 degrees around, to cross turn their arms so they are facing outward without dropping straws.
TO LEAD ACTIVITY:
1. Start everyone in a circle with a straw in their right hand.
2. Have them point their left hand pointer finger at the person on their left.
3. Place straw on the tip on the finger of the person on your right.
Strength in Numbers (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.) This activity demonstrates that each person has unique characteristics to bring to the group, and as we work as a team, we grow stronger.
TO LEAD ACTIVITY:
1. Each person in the group gets a tongue depressor. Using a permanent marker, each person writes words on the stick that represent personal strengths and attributes they bring to the larger group.
2. Once finished, go around the group and have people share what they wrote on their stick.
3. The leader starts with a blank stick and demonstrates how easily it can be broken if it is over loaded.
4. Then, the leader puts two blank sticks together and shows how it is harder to snap 2 sticks, and 3, etc.
5. The leader then gathers all the sticks together and discusses how each person brings strength to the
team. Demonstrate how impossible it is to break. (The whole is greater than its parts!)
Zen Countdown (submitted by Cathy Sork, Ft. Vancouver H.S.) Have the group count to a given number where each person says a number and no one interrupts anyone else. The magic of this activity is to create synergy where each person can tell when to throw out a number. If more then one person says a number, the group starts back at the beginning. The activity can vary by having group members put their heads down and do it blind.