Collaboration Challenge Activity

Objective: Students will collaborate to solve a real-world problem by applying Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking to develop an actionable plan.

Materials:

• Problem Scenario Cards (printed, one per group)
• Chart Paper or Large Poster Board
• Markers
• Post-it Notes

Roles (one per student):

• Facilitator: Keeps the group on task, ensures each voice is heard
• Note-taker: Records ideas and drafts the plan
• Timekeeper: Monitors the clock and signals transitions
• Presenter: Shares the group’s plan with the class

Instructions (20 minutes total):

1. Context & Role Assignment (2 minutes)
   • Teacher distributes a Scenario Card (e.g., plan a school recycling drive, organize a peer-tutoring program, or design a community health fair).
   • Groups assign the four roles.
2. Brainstorm & Skill Focus (6 minutes)
   • Collaborate: Facilitator invites everyone to share quick ideas.
   • Communicate: Note-taker restates each idea clearly.
   • Creativity: Use Post-its to capture as many unique ideas as possible.
   • Critical Thinking: Timekeeper asks, “Which ideas seem most practical?”
     
     
     
     
     
     
3. Plan Development (6 minutes)
   • Select the top 2–3 ideas and flesh out details:
     • Who is involved?
     • What resources are needed?
     • When will it happen?
     • Where will it take place?
   • Note-taker writes the draft plan on chart paper.
   • Facilitator checks that every role contributes to refining the plan.
     
     
     
     
     
     
4. Prepare to Present (4 minutes)
   • Presenter outlines a 1-minute pitch.
   • Group practices clear, engaging communication.
   • Timekeeper ensures the group finishes prep on time.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
5. Group Presentations (2 minutes)
   • Each Presenter shares their group’s plan (1 minute max).
   • Class listens for examples of all four skills in action.

Guiding Reflection (5 minutes post-activity):

• How did your group ensure everyone’s ideas were heard? (Collaboration)
• What strategies did you use to keep your message clear? (Communication)
• Which idea felt most original, and why? (Creativity)
• What challenges did you anticipate, and how did you address them? (Critical Thinking)

Extension: Encourage students to implement one action step from their plan this week and report back on outcomes.

Skill Self-Assessment Worksheet

Name: ________________________ Date: ________________

Part 1: Rate Your Skills

Rate yourself for each skill by circling a number (1 = Needs Improvement, 5 = Highly Skilled).

Collaboration: 1 2 3 4 5
Communication: 1 2 3 4 5
Creativity: 1 2 3 4 5
Critical Thinking: 1 2 3 4 5

Part 2: Reflect on Your Ratings

1. Which skill did you rate the lowest, and why?

1. Which skill did you rate the highest, and why?

Part 3: Goal Setting

1. Choose one skill you’d most like to develop this week. What specific action will you take to practice it?

1. How will improving this skill benefit you in school or your future career?

Part 4: Real-World Application

1. Describe a recent situation when you used any of these skills. What was the outcome?

1. What challenges might you face when trying to improve your chosen skill, and how will you overcome them?

Discussion: Real-World Connections

Purpose: Tie today’s skills exploration to authentic contexts, helping students see how Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking matter beyond the classroom.

1. Reconnect & Share (2 minutes)

• Invite each group’s Presenter from the Collaboration Challenge Activity to share one moment when their team used any of the four skills especially well.
• Listen for specific examples: speaking up, sketching a unique idea, weighing pros/cons, summarizing a teammate’s point.

2. Guided Whole-Class Questions (6 minutes)

Ask a question, then call on volunteers or use think–pair–share:

1. Collaboration in Careers
   • Question: Think of a job you know (e.g., athlete, engineer, nurse, artist). How is collaboration essential in that role?
   • Follow-Up: What happens when team members don’t collaborate effectively?

1. Communication in Everyday Life
   • Question: Recall a time you fixed a misunderstanding by communicating clearly. What steps did you take?
   • Follow-Up: How might adjusting tone or word choice change your message?

1. Creativity Under Pressure
   • Question: Describe a situation (in school, sports, or home) when a creative idea solved a problem.
   • Follow-Up: How can you train your mind to generate more ideas when you feel stuck?

1. Critical Thinking & Reliable Information
   • Question: When researching online (for homework or everyday questions), what strategies help you decide if a source is trustworthy?
   • Follow-Up: What could go wrong if you accept information without questioning it?

3. Personal Action Planning (2 minutes)

• Distribute Post-it Notes.
• Prompt: Choose one skill you want to practice this week in a real-world setting (home, club, volunteer work, part-time job). Write:
  • The skill name
  • One specific action you will take
• Stick your note on the “Skill Goals” section of the board.

Extension/Home Connection: Encourage students to revisit their goal when completing the Skill Self-Assessment Worksheet next week and reflect on their progress.