TEAMWORK
Teacher’s Guide
This guide includes
• Overview
• Related Links
• Discussion Questions
• Activities for Students
Learning Objectives
• Students will be able to
describe a team.
• Students will be able to
describe the benefits of
teamwork.
• Students will be able to
describe positive attributes
of team members.
SEL Competencies
Self-Awareness
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision Making
Materials
Pencils, Crayons, Markers
Working Together Activity
Sheet
Build A Team Activity Sheet
Teamwork Word Search
Activity Sheet
What Is Teamwork Drawing
Activity Sheet
Overview:
Social and emotional skills are founded on self-awareness, emotions, and the
connection between emotions, thoughts, and actions that we see in children.
The ability for children to manage their emotions, thoughts, and actions (or
behaviors) rests in perspective, impulse control, and self-awareness. As
children develop, they begin to have empathy for others, and can build
relationships.
From a young age, children learn to give and take, share, and take turns. During
this process, they gradually recognize their strengths and develop behavior
patterns. As they grow and develop, they move from individualistic ways of
thinking and begin to communicate and interact with others. They start to play
with groups and learn to become part of a team.
Teamwork is working respectfully with a group, or team, to achieve a common
goal or complete a task. The traits of each member and the way they work
together contributes to the team’s effectiveness and efficiency. Working in
teams helps give children a sense of community which can build resilience as
they share successes and setbacks as a group. It also strengthens their social
and emotional skills, helps to develop communication skills, and can improve
their self-confidence.
Students can be part of a team in the classroom and in many other areas such
as community work, sports, performing arts, etc. Encouraging students to work
in teams will help them develop skills that are beneficial throughout their lives.
Related Links:
GoNoodle:
1. Be A Team Player
2. Give It a Try
3. What’re You More Like?
Activity:

Activate thinking:

• Explain what a team is and the concept of teamwork

• Team – a group of people working together to achieve a common purpose or goal; a group working
together to complete a task or to participate in a sports event
• Teamwork – working together respectfully and doing your share of the work to accomplish a goal or
complete a task

Brainstorm:

• Encourage students to think of the many teams they have participated in or observed.
• Examples of teams: construction workers, employees at an ice cream shop, sports teams such as baseball
or volleyball, managers of a sports team, school bands, choir, cheerleaders, students performing a school
play, dance team, fire fighters, students with classroom responsibilities, cafeteria workers, scout troops,
neighbors working together to help a neighbor in need, etc.
• Invite students to share examples of their own experiences on a team. They can also share the teams
they would like to join in the future.
• What were the goals or purpose of those teams?
• Did the students enjoy being on a team or in a special group?

• Review the following benefits of teamwork:

- Each team member brings different skills, abilities, and talents to the group
- Divides the workload between the team members so the work can get done faster
- It is rewarding and fun to work with other people
- You can get more accomplished with a team than by yourself
- TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More

• Discuss the skills and qualities of team members beneficial for effective teamwork:
- Collaboration: working with others and doing your share of the work
- Cooperation: uniting with others to work on a common goal; allow everyone to contribute
- Patience: taking the extra time and steps necessary when working with a team
- Good listening: giving each person the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas
- Respect: admire and accept each persons’ unique gifts and abilities
- Encouragement: support each member of the team as they work on their portion
Activities:

• Students can write words or draw pictures on the Working Together Activity Sheet to illustrate behaviors
that are important when people are working together as a team.
• Students can use the Build A Team Activity Sheet to decorate a large puzzle piece describing how they
would benefit a team. The class can build a team by displaying the puzzle pieces together. This activity
demonstrates that everyone contributes to a team!
• Students can use the Teamwork Word Search Activity Sheet to search for skills and qualities that are
beneficial for teamwork. (Teamwork Word Search Answer Key)
• Students can use the What Is Teamwork Drawing Activity Sheet to draw or color a picture that represents
“Teamwork.”

Closure:

• Follow up with students on why teamwork is important and how being on a team is beneficial.
• Invite students to share what skills and talents they can bring to a team or a group.
• If the class created a class teamwork puzzle, invite students share the words they used to describe
teamwork or describe the pictures they drew.

Additional Resources:
• Click here for a “Teamwork” poster to display in your classroom throughout the school year.