Lesson Plan
Team Readiness Framework
Students will discover peers’ interests and strengths through an icebreaker quiz and Speed Networking game, then form balanced teams for collaborative activities.
Building positive relationships and balanced teams fosters a supportive classroom environment, improves communication, and lays groundwork for effective group work throughout the year.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Icebreaker quiz, team formation, Speed Networking, and reflection.
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print one copy of the Getting-to-Know-You Survey for each student.
- Load the Interest Inventory Slides on the classroom projector.
- Print and review the Team-Building Success Rubric.
- Arrange desks into small-group clusters and set up a timer for the Speed Networking Game.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain the lesson goal: building community and collaboration.
- Display objectives on the Interest Inventory Slides.
- Briefly outline today’s activities and success criteria from the Team-Building Success Rubric.
Step 2
Interest Inventory Quiz
10 minutes
- Distribute the Getting-to-Know-You Survey.
- Instruct students to answer each question honestly and quickly.
- Collect surveys and scan for common interests and strengths.
Step 3
Form Teams
5 minutes
- Group students into balanced teams of 4–5 based on survey results.
- Assign each team to a colored area (using classroom accents matching #E67E22, #EB9150, #F0A374).
- Have teams choose a name and spokesperson.
Step 4
Speed Networking Game
15 minutes
- Explain rules of the Speed Networking Game: pairs share one fact and one strength.
- Start timer; students rotate partners every 2 minutes to meet at least four classmates.
- Use music or a bell to signal rotations.
Step 5
Debrief & Reflection
10 minutes
- Gather teams and invite spokespersons to share key takeaways.
- Lead a reflection: How do diverse strengths boost team success?
- Use the Team-Building Success Rubric to assess team collaboration.
- Reinforce the value of cooperation for future projects.
Slide Deck
Interest Inventory
Welcome to our back-to-school Interest Inventory!
Today, we'll share what we love and what we’re good at so you can connect with classmates.
Welcome students! Introduce the purpose of this icebreaker. Emphasize that this survey will help them find peers with common interests and complementary strengths.
Objectives
• Identify your personal interests
• Recognize your unique strengths
• Connect with peers who share similar interests and talents
Read each objective aloud, pointing to the classroom projector. Ask for a quick show of hands for each bullet to build engagement.
How to Complete the Survey
- Read each question carefully.
- Circle the option that best describes you.
- Be honest and go quickly—no overthinking.
- Hand your survey to me when you finish.
Explain the survey process step by step. Remind students to work independently but honestly.
Sample Survey Questions
• What school subject are you most excited about?
• Which extracurricular club or sport interests you?
• How do you like to help on a team? (e.g., leader, organizer, creative thinker)
• Which hobbies do you enjoy outside of school?
Show the sample questions. Encourage students to think broadly about hobbies, sports, and classroom roles.
Time Allotment
You have 10 minutes to complete this survey.
Keep pace so we can move on to forming our teams!
Display a visible countdown or start a timer on the projector. Walk around to remind students of time remaining.
Next Steps
Once you finish, I'll use your responses to assign balanced teams.
Then, we’ll play the Speed Networking Game to learn more about each other!
Prepare students for the next activity. Briefly describe how teams will form and segue into the Speed Networking game.
Worksheet
Getting-to-Know-You Survey
Please answer the following questions honestly and quickly. Your responses will help us form balanced teams for our activities.
Name: ________________________________ Date: ________________
- What school subject are you most excited about? (Circle one)
a. Mathematics b. Science c. Language Arts d. Social Studies e. Art/Music f. Other: ___________ - Which extracurricular club or sport interests you? (Check all that apply)
☐ Chess/Board Games ☐ Robotics/Tech ☐ Drama/Performing Arts ☐ Sports (e.g., soccer, basketball) ☐ Art Club ☐ Other: ___________ - How do you like to help on a team? (Circle one)
Leader Organizer Creative Thinker Encourager Researcher Other: ___________ - Which hobbies do you enjoy outside of school? List two:
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- Write two personal strengths you bring to a group project (e.g., communication, problem-solving):
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- Share one fun fact about yourself that most classmates might not know:
___________________________________________________________________________ - If you could learn a new skill this school year, what would it be and why?
___________________________________________________________________________
Thank you! Once everyone completes the survey, we'll use these insights to form our teams and jump into the Speed Networking Game.
Game
Speed Networking Game Instructions
Objective: Help students quickly learn about each other’s interests and strengths, building rapport within and across teams.
Materials Needed:
- Chairs arranged in two facing rows or concentric circles
- Timer or music to signal rotations
- A list of sample prompts displayed on the board or printed handout
Setup (2 minutes):
- Arrange chairs in two straight rows facing each other (or an inner/outer circle).
- Have each student sit opposite a partner.
- Display or distribute the Sample Prompt List.
How to Play (15 minutes total):
- Explain the Rules:
- Each pair has 2 minutes to introduce themselves and answer one prompt.
- When the timer (or music) goes off, one row (or circle) shifts one seat to the right so each student has a new partner.
- Repeat until every student has met at least four classmates (approximately 5 rotations).
- Start the Timer:
- Play background music or set a timer for 2-minute intervals.
- After each interval, pause briefly to rotate.
- Encourage students to wrap up their conversation and move quietly.
- Sample Prompts (rotate through these or let students choose):
- Share one fun fact about yourself.
- What is a personal strength you bring to a team?
- Which school subject or hobby excites you most, and why?
- What new skill do you want to learn this year?
- Describe a time you helped someone succeed.
- Debrief Immediately After (3 minutes):
- Have students return to their team clusters.
- Ask each team spokesperson to share one interesting thing they learned about a classmate from the game.
Teacher Tips:
- Use upbeat, brief music clips to signal rotations.
- Model one or two sample exchanges before starting.
- Circulate to listen in and encourage quieter students.
- Keep the pace brisk to maintain energy and focus.
Link back to team work: After Speed Networking, teams will use these connections and shared strengths for upcoming group challenges, guided by the Team-Building Success Rubric.
Rubric
Team-Building Success Rubric
Use this rubric to evaluate each team’s performance during the icebreaker and group challenge. Each criterion is scored on a 1–4 scale.
Scoring Scale:
• 4 (Exemplary): Consistently exceeds expectations
• 3 (Proficient): Meets expectations
• 2 (Developing): Approaching expectations
• 1 (Beginning): Needs support
| Criterion | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning | Points Possible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication | Team members share ideas clearly and actively listen, asking clarifying questions and building on others’ comments. | Team members speak audibly, respond to peers, and stay on topic most of the time. | Team members sometimes speak up but may mumble, interrupt, or drift off-topic. | Team members rarely speak or listen; ideas are unclear or conversations break down. | 4 |
| Collaboration | Roles and tasks are distributed evenly; members collaborate seamlessly, leveraging individual strengths. | Team shares tasks fairly and works together with occasional prompting. | Some members carry most of the work; collaboration is uneven or requires teacher cues. | Team work is fragmented; members work in isolation or ignore group goals. | 4 |
| Respect | Members consistently show kindness, encourage each other, and value all contributions; conflicts are resolved positively. | Members show respect most of the time and handle disagreements constructively with minor teacher support. | Members occasionally interrupt or dismiss peers; conflict may slow progress and needs teacher intervention. | Members frequently ignore or disrespect others; conflicts are unresolved or escalate. | 4 |
| Contribution | Every member offers ideas, asks questions, and takes initiative to move the task forward. | Most members contribute relevant ideas and complete assigned tasks. | Only a few members contribute; others need reminders to participate or finish tasks. | One or two members dominate or nobody contributes; tasks are left incomplete. | 4 |
| Reflection | Team thoughtfully connects strengths and insights from Speed Networking Game to planning next steps, citing specific examples. | Team reflects on strengths and lessons learned with general examples and relevance to future work. | Reflection is superficial or vague; team struggles to relate activities to future collaboration. | Reflection is missing or off-topic; team cannot identify any strengths or improvement areas. | 4 |
| Total | 20 |
Use this rubric during the Debrief & Reflection phase to guide discussion and provide each team with actionable feedback. Teams earning 16–20 points demonstrate strong readiness for ongoing collaborative projects.