Character Education/Project Adventure
Working on 21st Century Skills
Critical Thinking
Communication
Collaboration
Creativity
Critical Thinking
Communication
Collaboration
Creativity
College and Career Ready
When you grow up and get a job....
1. Are you going to have to work with other people?
2. Are you always going to agree with everyone on everything? Is that OK?
3. If you are arguing the whole time, are you going to be able to get the job done?
4. If you do not get the job done, will you get paid?
5. If you do not get paid, will you be able to buy food and pay for your house/apartment?
6. If you are someone who does not get along with others or someone who is mean, is your boss going to want you to work for him?
So do you think learning and practicing how to work well with others is important?
When you grow up and get a job....
1. Are you going to have to work with other people?
2. Are you always going to agree with everyone on everything? Is that OK?
3. If you are arguing the whole time, are you going to be able to get the job done?
4. If you do not get the job done, will you get paid?
5. If you do not get paid, will you be able to buy food and pay for your house/apartment?
6. If you are someone who does not get along with others or someone who is mean, is your boss going to want you to work for him?
So do you think learning and practicing how to work well with others is important?
Group Challenges
The students were faced with some tough, but fun, group challenges which brought out many character traits that were cause for GREAT discussions! Some challenges included lining up in height order and birthday order without speaking, helium stick, group hula hoop, buddy walkers, hamster wheel, mission impossible, scooter ships, foam ball pass over, cross the stream, toxic waste transfer, jump rope tie with 1 hand, blind maze, memory maze and the group lap sit. These challenges allowed our students to look at the kind of people they are. We discussed how to handle frustrations, how to handle if you feel like no one is listening to you, effective ways to communicate opinions, having an open mind, trust, respect, responsibility, empathy, tolerance and qualities of good leaders (Standard 2: Safe and Healthy Environment).
The students were faced with some tough, but fun, group challenges which brought out many character traits that were cause for GREAT discussions! Some challenges included lining up in height order and birthday order without speaking, helium stick, group hula hoop, buddy walkers, hamster wheel, mission impossible, scooter ships, foam ball pass over, cross the stream, toxic waste transfer, jump rope tie with 1 hand, blind maze, memory maze and the group lap sit. These challenges allowed our students to look at the kind of people they are. We discussed how to handle frustrations, how to handle if you feel like no one is listening to you, effective ways to communicate opinions, having an open mind, trust, respect, responsibility, empathy, tolerance and qualities of good leaders (Standard 2: Safe and Healthy Environment).
Building Good Character
- Respect
- Open Mind
- Trust
- Tolerance
- Leadership
- Empathy
- Responsible
- Communicate
- Collaborate
- Patience
- Support
- Self Discipline
- Confidence
- Honesty
- Persevere
First Challenge is to
Line Up in Height Order
Without Talking
Toxic Waste Transfer
This is a 3rd grade group! Here you will see them attempting a frustrating challenge with perseverance. Multiple students take on leadership roles! They maintain open minds as they listen to each other’s opinions, support each other’s ideas and trust one another. They clearly communicate their ideas to each other using step by step directions so that their teammates know exactly what they are talking about. They tolerate each other while maintaining patience and respect. Every student, even the students on the sidelines remain responsible for their roles in guiding the group towards success. I could not be more proud of these young people!
Helium Stick
Everyone has to have one finger on the stick and they have to lower it to the ground. Sounds easy eh? Let's see if the spell Mrs. Maselli cast on the stick holds true...
Not all challenges we face in life are going to be easy. Sometimes we have to learn to fail. What do you do when something does not go your way or when something does not go as planned?
5 Level Challenge
Students moved through different levels in order to complete 5 different levels of challenges. They received a grade for their team based on how well they worked together. Bonus points were given for successful teammates who demonstrated the character traits we reviewed. Teams received deductions for arguing, not listening to each other, not helping each other, not participating or cheating.
Level 1: Tie Jump Ropes Together Using One Hand
Level 2: Build a Bridge
Level 3: Blind Maze
Level 4: Drive the Tank
Level 5: Memory Maze
Mission Impossible
The challenge is to move your entire group from one side of the gym to the other side using a limited amount of equipment.
Scooter Ships
The challenge is for the riders to be the eyes of the open ocean in order to steer the ship. They need to communicate clearly to the drivers using directional cues and calm voices. The drivers need to listen to the riders and be responsible for steering them or their ship sinks. Ask your children what happened to our sunken ships. RRRRRR Matey
Motor Boat
The challenge is to steer the ship trying not to let the passenger (bowling pin) fall over. The ship has no wheels or paddles it is completely driven by teamwork. All hands need to be steering the ship and students need to decide and agree on where the best position for each player would be. They need to communicate effectively. No arguing. We are practicing and learning how to communicate when we are frustrated. Very important life skill.
Cooperation Tag
To free a frozen player students must find someone to help them and join hands forming a cooperation bubble. They walk around the frozen player saying, "Cooperation means working well with others." Afterwards the frozen player says, "Thank you" and the helping players say "Your Welcome!"
We are learning the definition of cooperation as we practice its meaning. We are also working on acquiring the use of nice manors.
Communication Relay Races
The challenge starts out easy and gets harder. Students were challenged to transport the foam ball using no hands. Students needed to focus on teamwork and cooperation in order to be successful.
Chest to chest
Back to back
Forearms
Invent your own
Buddy Walkers
Team Hoop Around
Foam Ball Passover
Winning team is the team that uses the most effective communication.
Do you have it?
Yes, I have it?
Ok, I have it you can let go?
Can you raise your feet a little higher?
Ball Pass
Debrief Discussions
Closure questions
- Describe a time you were frustrated today and what did you do?
- What creative solutions were suggested and how were they received?
- What would an outside observer have seen as the strengths and weaknesses of the group?
- What was the initial reaction of the group?
- How well did the group cope with this challenge?
- What skills did it take to be successful as a group
- What roles did people play?
- What did each group member learn about him/her self as an individual?
- What other situations (e.g., at school or home) are like this?