Trust Tower Build Activity Sheet

Objective:
Students will practice collaboration, clear communication, and trust by working in small teams to design and construct the tallest free-standing tower with limited materials.

Materials (per team of 4–5):

• 20 paper cups
• 20 straws
• 1 roll of masking tape
• Scissors (adult-supervised)
• Trust Tower Build Activity Sheet (this sheet)
• Timer or stopwatch

Roles (assign one per student):

• Planner: Draws the first sketch of the tower and decides where pieces go.
• Builder: Assembles and stacks materials according to the plan.
• Encourager: Offers positive feedback and reminds the group to listen.
• Checker: Tests stability and suggests adjustments.
• Recorder (optional in a 5-member team): Notes each step and records tower height.

Time: 15 minutes total
• Planning & Design: 3 minutes
• Construction: 7 minutes
• Testing & Adjustments: 3 minutes
• Team Debrief: 2 minutes

Instructions:

1. Form teams of 4–5 and sit in a loose circle around your materials.
2. Review our circle norms: kindness, respectful listening, and no put-downs.
3. Assign roles so everyone has a clear task.
4. Use the first 3 minutes to sketch a simple tower design on scrap paper.
5. Build according to your plan for 7 minutes. You may switch roles once if you’d like.
6. When time is called, test your tower’s stability by gently tapping it. Checkers suggest one final tweak.
7. End by measuring your tower’s height in cups/levels. Record your result.

Team Debrief Questions:

• How did you decide on your design?
  
  
  
• Which role felt easiest or hardest?
  
  
  
• What helped your team work well together?
  
  
  
• If you did this again, what would you try differently?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Facilitation Tips:

• Encourage all voices: invite quieter students to share their ideas.
• Emphasize that “mistakes” are learning moments.
• Remind teams to refer back to our safe-space norms if conflicts arise.
• Celebrate each team’s effort and highlight examples of support and creative problem-solving.

Feelings Check-In Guide

Purpose

Help students develop emotional awareness by naming their current feelings and recognizing personal strengths in a safe, supportive circle.

Instructions

1. Invite students to sit in a circle and take a comfortable posture.
2. Remind everyone of the circle norms: confidentiality, respectful listening, and kindness.
3. Explain that you will ask a few questions; each student can share or pass if they prefer.
4. Use a talking piece (e.g., a small stuffed toy) to indicate who has the floor to speak.
5. After each share, validate the student with a simple acknowledgement (e.g., “Thank you for sharing,” or “I hear you”).

Discussion Prompts

1. Name a Feeling:
   “What is one feeling you have right now?”
   
   
   
   

2. Strength Spotlight:
   “Think of a time this week you felt proud or strong. What strength did you use?”
   
   
   
   

3. Challenge Check:
   “When you feel upset or worried, what is one thing you do that helps you feel better?”
   
   
   
   

Follow-Up Questions (Optional)

• “How do you notice that feeling in your body?”
• “What helps you calm down when you notice this feeling?”
• “How might you use your strength again this week?”

Facilitator Tips

• Encourage quiet students by gently inviting them: “I’d love to hear from you, but if you’d rather pass, that’s okay, too.”
• Model sharing first to set a tone of openness.
• Keep sharing times brief (30–60 seconds) to maintain focus and respect everyone’s time.
• Track time subtly so each student has a chance to speak within the 10-minute allotment.

Note: This check-in can be revisited at the start of any circle to gauge the group’s emotional temperature and reinforce community support.

Mindful Moment Reflection Prompts

Purpose

Guide students to settle their thoughts, connect with their breath, and carry calm into the rest of their day.

Instructions

1. Invite everyone to sit comfortably and soften their gaze or close their eyes.
2. Ask students to place their hands gently on their belly or chest to feel their breath.
3. Lead three slow, deep breaths together: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 2 counts, exhale for 6 counts.

Reflection Prompts

1. Body Scan: Notice any places of tension or ease in your body. Where do you feel the air moving?
   
   
   

2. Breath Awareness: What does each inhale feel like? What does each exhale release?
   
   
   

3. Safe Place Visualization: Think of a place—real or imagined—where you feel calm and safe. What colors, sounds, or smells do you notice?
   
   
   

4. One-Word Check-In: When you open your eyes, choose one word that describes how you feel right now.
   
   
   

5. Carry Forward: What’s one small action you can take today to remember this calm feeling?
   
   
   

Closing

• Encourage students to open their eyes slowly.
• Invite a few volunteers to share their one-word check-in if they wish.
• Remind the class they can use this breathing and imagining practice anytime they need calm.