Introduction

As educators, we strive to teach our students essential life skills that will benefit them both in and out of the classroom. One such skill is the ability to work well in a group, which fosters cooperation and inclusion. Group inclusion and cooperation skills are essential for elementary students, as they help develop a sense of belonging and promote positive social interactions. This blog post will discuss a no-prep activity designed to teach this skill, followed by discussion questions and related skills to explore.

No-Prep Activity: The Moving Group

The Moving Group is a simple, no-prep activity that requires no additional materials from the educator. It is designed to help students practice staying together as a group and moving in unison, fostering group inclusion and cooperation.

1. Begin by having your students form a circle or stand in a line, depending on the available space and the size of the group.
2. Explain to the students that they will be moving together as a group, and their goal is to stay close to one another while remaining within the boundaries of the circle or line.
3. Choose a student to be the “leader” of the group. This student will be responsible for initiating the movement and setting the pace.
4. Start the activity by having the leader move in any direction they choose, while the rest of the group follows closely behind. Encourage the students to stay connected and move together as a unit.
5. Continue the activity for a few minutes, periodically changing the leader to give each student a chance to guide the group.

This activity helps students practice group inclusion and cooperation skills by encouraging them to be aware of their peers and work together as a team. It also allows them to practice communication and leadership skills, as they take turns guiding the group’s movements.

Discussion Questions

After completing The Moving Group activity, use these discussion questions to further explore the topic of group inclusion and cooperation:

1. Why is it important to stay connected and move together as a group during the activity?
2. How does moving together as a group help you feel included and part of the team?
3. What challenges did you face while trying to stay connected and move together as a group? How did you overcome them?
4. How can you apply the skills learned in this activity to other group activities or projects in school?
5. Why are group inclusion and cooperation skills important for your future success and relationships?

Related Skills

Group inclusion and cooperation are just two of the many social-emotional learning skills that can benefit elementary students. Other related skills that contribute to a positive and inclusive learning environment include:

• Active listening
• Empathy
• Conflict resolution
• Teamwork
• Leadership

By incorporating these skills into your curriculum, you can help your students develop strong social-emotional foundations that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Next Steps

If you’re interested in exploring more activities and materials to teach group inclusion, cooperation, and other social-emotional learning skills, be sure to sign up for free samples at Everyday Speech. You’ll gain access to a variety of resources designed to support the social-emotional growth of your students, all in an easy-to-use format.