Friday Fun-day, Relay Race

Obviously having a traditional "relay race" in a classroom setting is not a good idea in order to foster productive behavior management, however using this adapted version is a fun reward for positive classroom behavior, and an excellent way to provide team building opportunities. Depending on your grade level/content are find 4-5 brainteaser worksheets and print one copy of each per team. This activity works best with teams of 4, though I have done it with pairs, and up to 6 in each group with nearly equal success. The teams must select a "runner" this is the person who will collect and turn in each brainteaser. Begin with the easiest worksheet and work up to the most difficult. Following your signal to start have the "runners" from each team come to the front of the room to collect the first worksheet. The students must work through the brainteasers together, in order to win the student need a combined effort (4 heads are better then 1 after all). As the teams finish each brainteaser the "runner" turns them in, quickly check the answers and send the "runner" with the next worksheet. Once they finish their final brain teaser have the "runner", or another preselected student from each group, attempt to make a basket by wading up their final brain teaser and making it into the trash can from a challenging distance. This will allow teams who struggled through the brainteasers an opportunity to catch up as the team in the lead may have difficulty making the shot in their first try. If the idea of having a "runner" and a quasi-basketball hoop in your class makes you a little nervous take my word for it that with clear expectations this activity lends its self to promoting positive energy, without chaos. In fact as the student work through the brainteasers the room is quiet as they do not want to give an answer away to an opposing team. I usually act like a cheerleader providing encouragement and support to each teams as they compete. A candy prize is typically awarded to all for active participation, and good communication within teams. When trying out a new team building activity, if in doubt, run through the activity with your most well behaved class first to identify any potential for chaos/confusion in those classes containing more spirited students. Below are the PowerPoint slides I use to introduce the activity. Have fun, and don't be afraid to let lose once in awhile, after all this is an earned privilege for sustained academic rigor!

 

 

Video- Competition & Sportsmanship