Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Being able to co-operate effectively with a diverse range of people in a variety of contexts is essential (TKI, 2017). The Te Mihi team has been learning how to do just that.

Firstly we discussed what we already knew about effective co-operation. We knew that it involves teamwork, showing respect to others, taking turns, and communicating. As a class, we watched a short video on co-operation and then revisited what is needed in order to co-operate effectively. We came up with communicating (verbal and non-verbal), contributing, adapting, committing, and respecting.

In mixed groups, we did few activities to practise how to co-operate effectively. Firstly we played group juggle, the aim of this game was for us to throw a bean bag in a pattern that included all group members as fast as possible without dropping it. Once we had mastered one bean bag we added in another and so on. Some of us found it difficult at the start to commit to the group goal. Instead we let our groups down by not trying or doing silly throws causing others to drop the bean bag.

After some communication with our groups, we soon realised the importance and fun in achieving the goal and began contributed to our team effectively. Most groups ended up achieving the goal and used up to three beanbags at one time. After we played a game of hula hoop relay. In a group we linked arms either in a circle or a line. The aim was to race against another group to see who could get their team member through the hoop as fast as possible.

When reflecting Jasimyn said “it was good to see people supporting each other by cheering on their team mates” and Mikayla pointed out “the games were fun when everyone got involved and helped each other as we achieved our goal”. 

Tuatari and Riley encourage and cheer on Mikayla

Arion helps Xavier to guide his way through the hula hoop

Team of Room 8 students work together and cheer each other on

Emmeline carefully throwing the bean bag to her team mate

Brooke focused on receiving a throw from one of her teammates

References 

TKI. 2017. New Zealand Curriculum. http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum.

Curriculum Links 

Health and Physical Education

• Movement concepts and motor skills 
• (positive attitudes) Develop movement skills in challenging situations and describe how these challenges impact on themselves and others.
• (challenges and social and cultural factors) Participate in cooperative and competitive activities and describe how cooperation and competition can affect people’s behaviour and the quality of the experiences.

Key Words

Co-operation, teamwork, communication, contributing, adapting, committing, respecting, goal