• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Team Up, Buttercup!

user image

Shelly Thomas

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Team Up, Buttercup!

Students will be able to define teamwork, identify the benefits of working together, and practice effective teamwork skills through collaborative activities.

Teamwork is a fundamental life skill that helps students succeed in academic tasks, navigate social situations, and prepare for future challenges. This lesson fosters collaboration and communication.

Audience

3rd and 4th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, group activities, and reflection.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers/pens, Construction paper, Scissors, Glue sticks, Worksheet: Teamwork Challenge, Slide Deck: Team Up, Buttercup! Slides, and Activity: Bridge Building Bonanza

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Team Up, Buttercup! Slides and lesson plan.
    - Print copies of the Teamwork Challenge (one per student).
    - Gather construction paper, scissors, and glue sticks for the Bridge Building Bonanza.
    - Arrange desks for group work or clear a space for collaborative activities.

Step 1

Introduction: What is Teamwork?

10 minutes

  • Begin with a warm-up question: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'teamwork'?" (2 minutes)
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion, recording student ideas on the board.
    - Present Slide 1 and discuss the definition of teamwork.
    - Share examples of teamwork in everyday life (sports, school projects, family chores) using Slide 2.

Step 2

Why Teamwork Rocks!

10 minutes

  • Use Slides 3-5 to explain the benefits of teamwork: sharing ideas, making tasks easier, learning from others, and having more fun.
    - Ask students to share a time when working with others helped them achieve something great.
    - Introduce the Teamwork Challenge and explain that students will work in small groups.

Step 3

Activity: Bridge Building Bonanza

25 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
    - Explain the Bridge Building Bonanza rules: Groups must build the tallest freestanding bridge using only construction paper, scissors, and glue sticks within a time limit (15 minutes).
    - Emphasize the importance of communication, cooperation, and listening to each other's ideas.
    - Circulate among groups, observing their teamwork and offering guidance.
    - After 15 minutes, have each group present their bridge and discuss how they worked together. (5 minutes per group)

Step 4

Reflection and Wrap-up

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Lead a discussion using questions from Slide 6:
    - "What was challenging about working in a team?"
    - "What strategies did your team use to work well together?"
    - "How did teamwork help you achieve your goal in the bridge activity?"
    - Have students complete the Teamwork Challenge individually as an exit ticket or cool-down activity.
    - Conclude by reiterating the main takeaways from Slide 7 about the power of teamwork.
lenny

Slide Deck

What is Teamwork?

Working together to achieve a common goal!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them to share their initial thoughts on teamwork.

Teamwork All Around Us!

• Sports teams
• School projects
• Chores at home
• Building a fort with friends

Discuss examples of teamwork in everyday life. Ask students for more examples.

Why Teamwork Rocks!

• Share ideas
• Make tasks easier
• Learn from others
• Have more fun!

Transition to the benefits of teamwork. Engage students by asking them why they think teamwork is helpful.

Benefit 1: More Ideas!

Two heads are better than one! When you work with others, you get more creative solutions and different ways to look at a problem.

Elaborate on sharing ideas. How does having more ideas make a project better?

Benefit 2: Lighter Workload!

Many hands make light work! When everyone helps, big tasks become smaller, and you can finish faster.

Explain how teamwork makes tasks easier and faster. Use an analogy if helpful, like moving a heavy box.

Reflecting on Our Teamwork

• What was challenging about working in a team?
• What strategies did your team use to work well together?
• How did teamwork help you achieve your goal in the bridge activity?

Guide students through a reflection on the activity. Encourage them to be specific about what went well and what was challenging.

Team Up, Buttercup! Key Takeaways

• Teamwork is essential for success.
• Working together makes things easier and more fun.
• Communication and cooperation are key!
• Everyone has valuable ideas to share.

Summarize the key takeaways and encourage continued practice of teamwork skills.

lenny

Worksheet

Teamwork Challenge: What I Learned

Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________

Part 1: Reflecting on Teamwork

  1. In your own words, what does "teamwork" mean?





  2. List three benefits of working in a team:
    a) _________________________________________
    b) _________________________________________
    c) _________________________________________

  3. During the Bridge Building Bonanza, what was one thing your team did well?





  4. What was one challenge your team faced, and how did you try to solve it?





Part 2: Being a Team Player

  1. Imagine you are starting a new team project. What is one thing you will do to be a good team member?





  2. How can listening to your teammates help your team succeed?








lenny
lenny

Activity

Bridge Building Bonanza!

Goal: Work with your team to build the tallest freestanding bridge that can support a small object (like an eraser or a single crayon).

Your Team:




Materials (per team):

  • 10 sheets of construction paper
    * 1 pair of scissors
    * 1 glue stick

Rules:

  1. Work Together! This is a teamwork challenge. Everyone must contribute ideas and help build.
  2. Use Only Provided Materials: You can only use the construction paper, scissors, and glue stick given to your team. No other materials allowed!
  3. Freestanding: Your bridge must stand on its own without any outside support.
  4. Support an Object: The bridge must be able to hold a small object (like an eraser or a single crayon) for at least 5 seconds on its highest point.
  5. Time Limit: You will have 15 minutes to plan and build your bridge.

Team Discussion Points (before you start building):

  • What are some ways we can make our paper strong?
  • Who has an idea for how our bridge should look?
  • How will we make sure everyone's ideas are heard?
  • What roles can each person take to help?

After Building:

  • Prepare to share how your team worked together and what you learned.
  • Be ready to show off your amazing bridge!

Good luck, team!

lenny
lenny