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Ready, Set, Agree!

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Lesson Plan

Consensus Sprint Plan

Students will practice rapid consensus-building by aligning on classroom agreements as a team within strict time limits.

This high-energy activity fosters collaboration, compromise, and ownership of classroom norms, strengthening classroom climate and student voice.

Audience

5th Grade Class

Time

10 minutes

Approach

Rapid timed team rounds to build consensus on class agreements.

Materials

Prep

Gather Materials & Setup

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Team Formation

2 minutes

  • Explain that teams will sprint to reach consensus on classroom agreements under time pressure.
  • Divide students into teams of 3–4.
  • Assign roles: speaker, note-taker, and timekeeper within each team.

Step 2

Consensus Sprint Rounds

6 minutes

  • Conduct three rapid rounds:
    • Project the next set of agreement statements using Agreement Options.
    • Use the Sprint Announcer Script to start the 60-second countdown.
    • Teams discuss and pick one card from their Quick Consensus Game.
    • At the end of the countdown, teams display their chosen card simultaneously.
    • Briefly note each team’s choice before moving to the next round.

Step 3

Debrief & Final Agreement

2 minutes

  • Tally the most frequently chosen agreements across rounds.
  • Facilitate a quick class vote if top choices differ.
  • Highlight how compromise helped reach consensus.
  • Confirm final classroom agreements to guide class climate.
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Slide Deck

Round 1: Participation

• Raise your hand before speaking
• Listen actively when others talk
• Speak with a clear, respectful voice
• Stay on topic during discussions
• Encourage classmates to join in

Use this slide to introduce the first set of possible classroom agreements. Prompt teams to choose one statement in 60 seconds.

Round 2: Respect

• Use polite language at all times
• Allow others to finish speaking
• Keep personal space boundaries
• Value every opinion equally
• Apologize when you’ve made a mistake

Highlight that these statements focus on how we engage in class. Proceed to Round 2 after teams display their choices.

Round 3: Collaboration

• Share materials and ideas freely
• Support teammates when they struggle
• Offer constructive feedback kindly
• Resolve disagreements calmly
• Celebrate team successes

This final set centers on working together. After teams decide, move to the debrief.

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Script

Sprint Announcer Script

Use this word-for-word script to guide each 60-second consensus sprint. You’ll repeat the core countdown steps for Rounds 1–3 using Agreement Options.

  1. Setup & Roles (before Round 1)
    • “Okay everyone, on your teams, please assign your Speaker, Note-Taker, and Timekeeper roles.”
    • (Pause 10 seconds for teams to organize.)
  2. Display Slide
    • “Here’s our next set of agreement options on the board.”
  3. Get Ready
    • “When I say ‘Go,’ your 60-second timer will start. Ready?”
  4. Go!
    • “Go! Your 60 seconds start now!”
    • (Start timer.)
  5. 30-Second Warning
    • At 30 seconds: “30 seconds left!”
  6. 10-Second Warning
    • At 10 seconds: “10 seconds left—wrap up your decision!”
  7. Time’s Up
    • “Time’s up! Please hold up your chosen card so everyone can see.”
  8. Note Choices
    • (Quickly scan each team’s card.)
    • “Great—I’m noting each team’s choice.”
  9. Transition to Next Round
    • “Get ready for the next round. Let’s move to the next slide.”



Repeat steps 3–9 for Rounds 2 and 3.

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Game

Quick Consensus Game Cards & Instructions

Use these printable card sets to give teams hands-on options to hold up during each 60-second sprint. Each set of cards matches the statements in Agreement Options.

Printing Instructions

  • Print each card set on sturdy cardstock (double-sided if possible).
  • Cut along the dotted lines to separate individual cards.
  • (Optional) Laminate for reusability.

Usage Instructions

  1. Distribute one complete card set per team.
  2. When the timer starts, teams discuss and select one statement card.
  3. At “Time’s up!”, each team holds up their chosen card simultaneously.
  4. The teacher records each team’s choice before moving to the next round.

Card Sets

Round 1: Participation

• Raise your hand before speaking
• Listen actively when others talk
• Speak with a clear, respectful voice
• Stay on topic during discussions
• Encourage classmates to join in







Round 2: Respect

• Use polite language at all times
• Allow others to finish speaking
• Keep personal space boundaries
• Value every opinion equally
• Apologize when you’ve made a mistake







Round 3: Collaboration

• Share materials and ideas freely
• Support teammates when they struggle
• Offer constructive feedback kindly
• Resolve disagreements calmly
• Celebrate team successes







Use these cards with the Sprint Announcer Script to power your rapid consensus sprints. Good luck, teams!

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