lenny

Our Trusty Team

Lesson Plan

Our Trusty Team

Students will actively listen to peers, articulate their thoughts clearly, and record group contributions to build trust and group cohesion, while simultaneously practicing listening, speaking, and writing skills for ELPAC preparation.

Building trust and cohesion creates a safe and supportive learning environment, crucial for Long Term English Learners to feel comfortable participating. The integrated speaking, listening, and writing practice directly supports ELPAC skill development in a meaningful context.

Audience

Long Term English Learners (Middle School/High School)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Collaborative storytelling and reflective writing.

Materials

Our Trusty Team Activity

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up & Introduction (5 min)

5 minutes

  • Greet students and introduce the lesson by asking, "What does it mean to be a good team member?"
    - Introduce the lesson title: Our Trusty Team and explain the goal of building trust and working together. Use Slide 1 to set the stage.
    - Briefly explain how today's activity will help them practice listening, speaking, and writing, important skills for English language development.

Step 2

Activity: Collaborative Storytelling (20 min)

20 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
    - Distribute the Our Trusty Team Activity worksheet to each student.
    - Explain the 'Collaborative Storytelling' activity: Each group will create a short story together. One student starts with a sentence, the next adds a sentence, and so on. Emphasize active listening to build on each other's ideas.
    - Provide a story starter (e.g., "One sunny morning, a tiny bird with bright blue feathers...").
    - As groups tell their stories, circulate and encourage participation, active listening, and clear speaking. Prompt students to use descriptive language. (Speaking & Listening practice)
    - After each group has developed a short story orally, instruct each student to choose one part of their group's story and write 2-3 sentences about it on their individual worksheet. Encourage them to summarize or elaborate on their chosen part. (Writing practice)
    - Bring the class back together and ask each group to share one interesting sentence or idea from their story. Highlight examples of good teamwork and creative ideas. (Speaking & Listening practice)

Step 3

Cool-down & Reflection (5 min)

5 minutes

  • Facilitate a brief discussion using prompts like: "How did listening carefully help your group?" "What was easy or challenging about adding to someone else's idea?" (Speaking & Listening practice)
    - Ask students to complete the reflection questions on their Our Trusty Team Activity worksheet individually. (Writing practice)
    - Collect the worksheets. Thank students for their teamwork and active participation.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Welcome to Our Trusty Team!

Today's Goal:

  • Build trust and work together as a team.
  • Practice listening, speaking, and writing in English!

Welcome students and set a positive tone. Ask: "What does it mean to be a good team member?" Listen to a few responses. Introduce the lesson title and explain that today is about working together to build trust. Mention the ELPAC connection.

Collaborative Storytelling!

How it Works:

  1. Work in small groups.
  2. One person starts a story with one sentence.
  3. The next person adds another sentence, building on the story.
  4. Listen carefully to your teammates!

Story Starter: "One sunny morning, a tiny bird with bright blue feathers..."

Explain the Collaborative Storytelling activity. Divide students into groups. Provide the story starter. Remind them to listen carefully and build on each other's ideas. Circulate and encourage participation.

Your Story, Your Words!

Individual Writing:

  • Think about your group's story.
  • Choose one part you liked or found interesting.
  • Write 2-3 sentences about it on your worksheet.
  • (Remember to summarize or add details!)

Transition to the individual writing portion. Explain that after telling their story orally, each student will write 2-3 sentences about their favorite or most interesting part of the group's story on their worksheet. Emphasize clear writing.

Reflect and Share!

Let's Discuss:

  • How did listening help your team?
  • What was easy or challenging about adding to the story?

Your Turn to Write:

  • Complete the reflection questions on your worksheet.

Bring the class back together. Ask each group to share one favorite sentence or a key idea from their story. Facilitate a short discussion about teamwork and listening. Assign the reflection questions as a cool-down/exit ticket.

lenny

Activity

Our Trusty Team Activity: Collaborative Storytelling

Instructions:

Work with your group to create a story! Each person will add one sentence at a time, building on what your teammates say. Listen carefully to make your story flow!

Part 1: Our Group Story Contributions (Speaking & Listening Practice)

As your group tells its story, listen carefully. After you have told your story as a group, think about your favorite or most interesting part. You will write about it in Part 2.

Group Story Starter: "One sunny morning, a tiny bird with bright blue feathers..."













Part 2: My Part of the Story (Writing Practice)

Choose one part of your group's story that you liked or found interesting. Write 2-3 sentences about it. You can summarize what happened or add more details.

My chosen part of the story:







Part 3: Reflecting on Our Team (Writing & Speaking Practice)

Answer the following questions about your experience working in a team today:

  1. What did your group do well to build on each other's ideas?





  2. How did listening to your teammates help you contribute to the story?





  3. What is one thing you learned about working in a team today?





lenny
lenny