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The Project Pulse

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Lesson Plan

Mini-Project Playbook

In groups, students will plan and execute a mini-project demonstrating prior teamwork skills and reflect on individual contributions and group impact.

Effective teamwork is a crucial life skill, both in academics and future careers. This lesson provides a hands-on opportunity to practice collaboration, accountability, and reflective thinking, ensuring students understand their role in group success.

Audience

10th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Students engage in a rapid prototyping activity, followed by peer feedback and reflection.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Vocabulary

5 minutes

  • Display the warm-up question: "What does success as a team feel like?"
  • Ask students to briefly reflect individually, then share in pairs.
  • Briefly discuss key concepts: collaboration, accountability, feedback, reflection. Use Roles, Goals, & Check-Ins Slide Deck Slide 1-2 to introduce/review vocabulary.

Step 2

Rapid Prototype Activity

20 minutes

  • Introduce the Rapid Prototype Showcase Activity.
  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
  • Present the project challenge (e.g., 'Design a new, eco-friendly school supply' or 'Create a solution for a common school problem').
  • Instruct groups to plan and execute their mini-project within 20 minutes, demonstrating prior teamwork skills.
  • Remind them to incorporate key concepts like collaboration and accountability. Refer to Facilitator Timing Cues Script for time management prompts.

Step 3

Peer Feedback Round

15 minutes

  • Each group presents their rapid prototype (2-3 minutes per group).
  • Following each presentation, facilitate a peer feedback round using four guided questions (provided in Rapid Prototype Showcase Activity).
  • Emphasize constructive feedback and active listening.

Step 4

Reflection & Closing

5 minutes

  • Ask students to individually complete the Teamwork Reflection Journal.
  • Share the closing thought: "Collaboration leaves a footprint bigger than any one shoe." Discuss its meaning briefly.
  • Collect journals or assign as homework.
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Slide Deck

The Project Pulse

What does success as a team feel like?

Welcome students and introduce the day's lesson. Pose the warm-up question.

Key Concepts for Teamwork

  • Collaboration: Working together to achieve a shared goal.
  • Accountability: Taking responsibility for your actions and commitments.
  • Feedback: Constructive input to improve performance.
  • Reflection: Thinking critically about experiences to learn and grow.

Introduce or review key vocabulary. Encourage students to define these in their own words or provide examples.

Rapid Prototype Challenge!

Your Mission:

In small groups, you will have 20 minutes to:

  1. Plan: Brainstorm and decide on a solution/product.
  2. Execute: Create a rapid prototype (drawing, simple model, diagram).
  3. Collaborate: Work effectively as a team, ensuring everyone contributes.

Be ready to share your prototype!

Explain the rapid prototype activity. Clearly state the challenge and time limit. Emphasize teamwork skills.

Peer Feedback Round

After each presentation, use these questions to provide constructive feedback:

  1. What was effective about their prototype/solution?
  2. How did you see teamwork demonstrated?
  3. What is one suggestion for improvement?
  4. What did you learn from their project?

Explain the peer feedback process and the questions to guide it.

Reflect and Grow

"Collaboration leaves a footprint bigger than any one shoe."

Think about what this means for your teamwork today. You'll complete a short reflection in your journal.

Conclude the lesson with the closing thought and lead into the reflection journal.

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Script

Facilitator Timing Cues

Warm-Up & Vocabulary (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're diving into the heart of teamwork with our lesson, 'The Project Pulse.' To start, let's think about this: What does success as a team feel like? Take a moment to jot down a quick thought, then share with a partner." (Pause for 1-2 minutes for individual reflection, then 2 minutes for partner sharing.)

Teacher: "Alright, let's bring it back together. Before we jump into our activity, let's quickly review some key concepts that will guide our work today. We have collaboration, accountability, feedback, and reflection. (Refer to Roles, Goals, & Check-Ins Slide Deck - Slide 2) Who can give us a quick definition or example of collaboration?" (Allow 1-2 responses per term.)

Rapid Prototype Activity (20 minutes)

Teacher: "Excellent! Now that our minds are warmed up, let's move on to our 'Rapid Prototype Challenge!' (Refer to Roles, Goals, & Check-Ins Slide Deck - Slide 3) I'm going to divide you into small groups. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to plan and execute a mini-project – a rapid prototype – within 20 minutes! You'll be designing a solution to a challenge. For example, you might 'Design a new, eco-friendly school supply' or 'Create a solution for a common school problem.' Your goal is to demonstrate strong teamwork skills: collaboration, communication, and accountability. I'll give you time cues along the way. Any questions before we begin?"

Teacher: (After 5 minutes) "Team check-in! You've got 15 minutes left. How's the planning going? Make sure everyone is contributing their ideas!"

Teacher: (After 10 minutes) "Halfway there! 10 minutes left. You should be starting to solidify your prototype ideas and thinking about how to visually represent them."

Teacher: (After 15 minutes) "Five minutes remaining! Start wrapping up your prototypes and prepare for your showcase. Who will present for your team?"

Teacher: (After 18 minutes) "Two minutes! Final touches!"

Peer Feedback Round (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Time is up! Great energy, everyone! Now it's time for the 'Rapid Prototype Showcase.' (Refer to Roles, Goals, & Check-Ins Slide Deck - Slide 4) Each group will have about 2-3 minutes to present their prototype. After each presentation, we'll use our peer feedback questions to provide constructive input. Remember to be respectful and offer helpful suggestions. Let's aim for 2 groups per 5 minutes." (Manage presentations and feedback, keeping time.)

Reflection & Closing (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Fantastic work and thoughtful feedback, everyone. To bring it all together, I want you to take a few minutes to complete your Teamwork Reflection Journal. This is your chance to think about your individual contributions and the impact of your group today." (Distribute journals.)

Teacher: "As you reflect, consider our closing thought: 'Collaboration leaves a footprint bigger than any one shoe.' What does that powerful statement mean to you after today's activity?" (Allow students to reflect as they write. Collect journals or assign for completion as homework.)

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Activity

Rapid Prototype Showcase Activity

Your Team Challenge:

Time Limit: 20 minutes

In your assigned teams, your challenge is to design a rapid prototype for one of the following:

  • A new, eco-friendly school supply. (e.g., a sustainable backpack, a zero-waste lunchbox, an energy-saving locker organizer)
  • A solution for a common school problem. (e.g., reducing hallway congestion, improving school spirit, making group projects easier)

Your Prototype Must:

  • Be a visual representation (drawing, diagram, simple model using available classroom materials).
  • Clearly communicate its purpose and how it works.
  • Demonstrate strong teamwork during its creation.

Peer Feedback Guidelines

After each team presents their rapid prototype, use these questions to provide constructive and thoughtful feedback. Remember to be kind, specific, and helpful!

  1. What was effective about their prototype/solution? (e.g., creative idea, clear design, practical use)






  2. How did you see teamwork demonstrated in their presentation or product? (e.g., shared ideas, clear roles, good communication)






  3. What is one specific suggestion for improvement for their prototype or presentation? (Focus on what could be added or changed to make it even better.)






  4. What is one new idea or learning you gained from their project?






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Journal

Teamwork Reflection Journal

Name: ________________________

Date: ________________________


Reflecting on "The Project Pulse"

Take some time to think about your experience during today's Rapid Prototype Activity. Your honest reflections help you grow as a team member!

  1. My Role and Contributions:
    What specific tasks or ideas did you contribute to your group's rapid prototype? How did you ensure your voice was heard and your ideas were considered?












  2. Collaboration in Action:
    Describe a moment when your team collaborated effectively. What made that moment successful? Were there any challenges in collaboration, and how did your team address them?












  3. Accountability Check:
    How did you hold yourself accountable for your part of the project? How did your teammates hold each other accountable? What was the impact of individual accountability on the group's final product?












  4. Giving and Receiving Feedback:
    Think about the peer feedback session. What was the most valuable piece of feedback you received or gave? How do you plan to use this feedback in future group work?












  5. "Collaboration leaves a footprint bigger than any one shoe."
    In your own words, explain what this closing thought means to you after completing the rapid prototype activity. How does it connect to your experience today?












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The Project Pulse • Lenny Learning