Relay Reliability Guide Reliability Relay
Lesson Guide • Grade 3 SEL
30
Minutes
Preparation
1 Print and cut Relay Task Cards ; organize into team sets on clipboards.
2 Gather cones or markers to define relay lanes in the classroom or gym.
3 Queue up the You Can Count on Me Slides .
4 Review the Relay Announcer Script for clear instructions.
Resources
You Can Count on Me Slides
Relay Announcer Script
Team Reliability Rubric
Relay Task Cards
The "Why"
"Building reliability and teamwork early helps students develop responsibility, trust, and goal-setting skills they’ll use in and out of school. This lesson makes social-emotional learning active and fun."
Objective
Students will distinguish reliability from honesty, set clear team goals, and work collaboratively in a timed relay to complete tasks without dropping any. They’ll practice teamwork and self-assessment.
Instructional Steps
5
Goal-Setting Warm-Up
5 Minutes
Bring students together and introduce today’s objective: practicing reliability as a team.
Ask each team to set 2–3 specific goals (e.g., "Keep a steady pace," "Pass every card smoothly").
Record goals on chart paper or whiteboard for reference.
Remind students that reliable teams meet their own goals.
7
Explain Reliability & Examples
7 Minutes
Launch the You Can Count on Me Slides .
Define reliability vs. honesty: reliability is consistently doing what you say you’ll do; honesty is telling the truth.
Show 2–3 real-life examples and non-examples; invite volunteers to identify which is which.
Emphasize why reliability matters in group tasks.
12
Team Relay with Task Cards
12 Minutes
Divide students into relay teams of 4–5; assign lanes or table stations with cones.
Hand each team a clipboard of relay task cards.
Use the Relay Announcer Script to start and monitor the race.
Teams pass cards down the line; each student completes the card before handing off.
Encourage positive teamwork and keeping goals in mind.
6
Reflection Using Rubric
6 Minutes
Gather teams and distribute the Team Reliability Rubric .
In teams, students assess performance: Did we stay reliable? Meet our goals? Support each other?
Invite one representative per team to share a success and one area to improve.
Reinforce how reliability and teamwork helped them complete the relay.
You Can Count on Me Slides You Can Count on Me
Reliability Relay Challenge
Grade 3
SEL Lesson
Teacher Notes: Welcome students! Introduce the title slide and get them excited about practicing reliability in today’s relay challenge.
Today's Objectives
Define reliability vs. honesty
Set clear team goals
Complete a relay challenge without dropping tasks
Reflect on teamwork and reliability
Teacher Notes: Review the objectives aloud and check that students understand each one.
Reliability
"Consistently doing what you say you will do."
Keeping promises
Following through on tasks
Being dependable for your team
Teacher Notes: Explain that reliability means doing what you say you’ll do, even when it’s hard. Ask for a volunteer to share when they’ve been reliable.
Honesty
"Telling the truth and speaking openly."
Admitting mistakes
Sharing correct information
Being truthful, even when hard
Teacher Notes: Clarify that honesty is about truth-telling. Invite a quick example of honesty from a student.
In Action: Which is it?
1
"Lucy says she will pass the puzzle piece and does it reliably."
Reliability
2
"Jamal admits he lost his marker."
Honesty
3
"Mia promises to finish the sorting task and finishes it."
Reliability & Honesty
Teacher Notes: Read each scenario and ask students: Is this reliability, honesty, or both? Encourage discussion.
Why Be Reliable?
Builds trust with teammates
Helps teams reach goals faster
Creates a positive classroom
Prepares you for future success
Teacher Notes: Emphasize why reliability helps teams succeed. Ask: How does reliability help you in class?
Relay Challenge Rules
The Big Secret:
A fast team that drops cards is LESS reliable than a steady team that finishes perfectly!
Form teams of 4–5 students and line up.
Each team gets a clipboard with task cards.
Complete one card, then pass the board to the next person.
Relay Announcer Script Relay Announcer Script
Internal Facilitation Document • SEL Reliability Unit
Use this script to guide students through the Reliability Relay. Maintain a high-energy, encouraging tone to keep the "race" feeling authentic while emphasizing the core value of reliability.
01. Introduction (1 Minute)
Teacher (Energetic Tone): “Okay, teams—gather ‘round your lanes and clipboards! Today we’re running the Reliability Relay. Remember our objective: be reliable, follow through on your promise, and keep your team goals in mind. Take a quick look at the goals you set on the board. Nod together when you’re ready!”
02. Get Ready (30 Seconds)
Teacher (Louder, Clear): “Teams, stand behind your start line. Each clipboard has cards with challenges—puzzles, sorting, or matching. When I say ‘Go,’ the first person completes one card, then hands the clipboard to the next teammate. No dropping cards! If a card drops, pick it up and keep going—show me you’re reliable.”
03. The Start
“On your marks… get set… GO!”
(Give a clear whistle blow or drum cue if you have it.)
04. Mid-Race Cues
After 6 Minutes (Halfway):
“Halfway there! You have 6 minutes left. Keep those goals in mind: pass cards smoothly, stay focused, and be someone your teammates can count on!”
After 9 Minutes (3 Minutes Left):
“Awesome pace, everyone! Only 3 minutes to go. Keep working together—no dropping cards, remember your steady pace.”
After 11 Minutes (1 Minute Left):
“One minute remaining! Let’s finish strong. Be reliable—complete that last card and pass it on!”
05. The Final Countdown
“Ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four… three… two… one… TIME!”
06. Gathering & Transition
Firm but upbeat: “Freeze where you are! Place your clipboard down carefully. Great job, teams—let’s see those clipboards and come back to the meeting area.”
“Wow, I saw some wonderful teamwork and reliability out there. Now we’ll use our Team Reliability Rubric to talk about what went well and what we can improve. Grab your rubric sheets and sit with your team!”
Team Reliability Rubric Team Reliability Rubric
Reliability Relay • Team Reflection
Team Name:
Date:
How did your team do? Look at each row and circle the level that best describes your team's performance today. Be honest and reliable in your score!
Criterion 4 – Exemplary 3 – Proficient 2 – Developing 1 – Beginning Reliability Completed all relay tasks without dropping any cards and followed through on every promise. Completed most relay tasks with minimal drops and generally followed through on promises. Completed some tasks reliably but had occasional drops or broken promises. Frequently dropped cards and did not follow through on promises. Teamwork Collaborated seamlessly, supported each other at every turn, and maintained positive energy. Worked well together with minor hiccups; offered support most of the time. Showed some collaboration but had moments of confusion or lack of support. Struggled to work as a team; little support or cooperation. Goals Met all team goals (pace, smooth passes, support) consistently throughout the relay. Met most goals; only minor reminders needed. Met some goals but needed frequent reminders to stay on track. Did not meet the team’s stated goals. Communication Communicated clearly and frequently—gave reminders and encouragement. Communicated most of the time; occasional lapses but stayed on task. Communicated sporadically; some confusion or missed passes resulted. Rarely communicated; team members were unsure of next steps.
1. What strength did we show today?
2. What is one area to improve for next time?
4 = EXEMPLARY 3 = PROFICIENT 2 = DEVELOPING 1 = BEGINNING
© 2026 Reliability Relay SEL Curriculum
Relay Task Cards Relay Task Cards
Print and cut along the dotted lines. Each team needs one set of cards (10 cards total) on a clipboard.
1
Word Scramble
L E R I A B L E
Unscramble the word
2
Reliability Check
"A reliable person does what they ________ they will do."
Fill in the blank
3
Team Cheer
Write 3 words that describe a great teammate.
4
Odd One Out
Circle the word that is NOT about reliability:
Dependable
Trustworthy
Grumpy
Helpful
5
Quick Draw
Draw a quick sketch of your team working together!
6
Promise Puzzle
"Reliability means keeping your ___________."
Fill in the blank
7
Honesty vs Reliability
Is telling the truth "Honesty" or "Reliability"?
8
Team High Five
Write one goal your team set at the start of the lesson:
