Support Squad Slides Grade 1 Team Challenge
Support Squad Challenge!
Coach Call
“Team, huddle in! Today we are playing the Support Squad Challenge. Being supportive means we help our teammates feel like they can keep going.”
The Big Rule
“Your team does NOT win by being the fastest. Your team wins when everyone feels supported and nobody is left behind!”
1
Encourage
Say kind words!
2
Help
Work together!
3
Celebrate
Cheer for effort!
What Is Our Goal?
Squad Mission
NOT Our Goal
Racing to finish first or beating other classmates.
OUR REAL GOAL!
Helping your teammates feel like they can keep going!
"A supportive teammate doesn't have to fix everything. They help you know you are not alone!"
Playbook
3 Ways to Support Your Team!
1. Encourage
"You can do it!"
"Keep trying!"
"Nice job!"
2. Help
"Do you want help?"
"I can show you."
"Let's do it together."
3. Celebrate
High Five! ✋
"We did it!"
"Good teamwork!"
Which one will you use first today?
Squad Ground Rules
Safety First
1. Safe Bodies
Gentle hands and careful feet at all times.
2. Listen Up
Look and listen when a teammate is talking.
3. Kind Words Only
No saying "You're doing it wrong!"
4. Leave No One Behind
Every teammate helps and plays together!
Ready to show your team power? Let's take the field!
Challenge #1 Skill: Encouraging
Beanbag Delivery!
1 Carry a beanbag to the hoop and run back.
2 Tag your teammate gently.
! Golden Rule: Say an encouraging cheer before the next person starts!
Cheer Menu
"You've got this!"
"Go, Maya!"
"Nice job, team!"
Cheer loudly so your teammate feels your power!
Challenge #2 Skill: Bouncing Back
The Team Train!
1 Hands resting gently on shoulders in front of you.
2 Chug around the cones together without breaking apart!
3 If the train breaks: reconnect and keep going!
If your train unhooks:
"That's okay!
Let's try again!"
No blaming. Just smile, link back up, and choo-choo forward!
Slow and steady wins this challenge together!
Challenge #3 Skill: Problem Solving
Island Crossing! 🏝️
The gym floor is water! Step only on the spot islands.
Pass spots forward so teammates can advance.
Share space, balance together, and wait for friends.
If someone slips in water:
Reach out a hand! 🤝
Offer help & encouragement!
We don't leave any island explorer behind!
Communicate: "Step here!" "I've got your back!"
Challenge #4 Skill: Cooperation
Partner Carry! 🎈
1 Pair up with a teammate.
2 Carry your object together without using your hands!
3 Move side-by-side to the finish cone.
If the object drops:
"We can try again!"
Pick it up with a laugh and keep moving forward together!
Match your footsteps with your partner!
Challenge #5 Skill: Including Everyone
Everybody Finishes!
1 Hop 3 times! 🐰
2 Walk around the cone! 🌀
3 Touch the wall & balance for 3 seconds! ⏰
4 Run back and cheer for the next teammate!
Team Rule:
The team is NOT finished until EVERYONE finishes!
"We did it together!"
Cheer your heart out while waiting for your teammates!
Squad Debrief & Wrap-Up
Celebrate Your Neighbor! 🎉
Our Team Superpowers
Encourage — Help — CELEBRATE!
Today's debrief is all about celebrating each other's effort!
Squad Mission
Turn to your neighbor and celebrate ONE thing they did well!
Choose a cheer to say:
🗣️ “I liked how you kept trying!”
🗣️ “You did an awesome job at helping our team!”
Finish with a big high five! ✋
“When we celebrate our teammates, everybody leaves the field feeling proud!”
Final Team Huddle
Support Squad Cheer! 📣
Coach Says:
"When someone is trying..."
"WE SUPPORT THEM!"
Coach Says:
"When someone makes a mistake..."
"WE HELP THEM TRY AGAIN!"
Coach Says:
"When someone succeeds..."
"WE CELEBRATE THEM!"
Hands in the middle on three... 1, 2, 3... SUPPORT SQUAD!
Support Squad Teacher Guide Counselor & PE Coaching Plan • Grade 1
Support Squad Teacher Guide
Total Duration
20 Minutes
Core Principle: Teams win when every member feels supported—not by being the fastest. Students practice peer encouragement, patient helping, recovering from mistakes without blame, and celebrating team effort.
Gym / Room Setup
4–6 Cones / Spot Markers: define lanes and turning points.
Beanbags / Soft Balls / Mascots: 1–2 per squad.
Floor Spots / Foam Squares / Hoops: 4–6 per team for islands.
Squad Pods: Group students into teams of 3–5 children.
The 3 Super Squad Moves
1
Encourage: "You can do it!", "Keep trying!", "Nice job!"
2
Help: "Do you want help?", "I can show you", "Let's do it together."
3
Celebrate: High fives ✋, thumbs up 👍, "We did it together!"
Part 1
Teach Activity & Expectations (2 Mins)
Scripted Launch
Teacher Says: "Team, huddle in! Today we are playing the Support Squad Challenge . Being supportive means we help our teammates feel like they can keep going."
The Big Rule: "Your team does NOT win by being the fastest. Your team wins when everyone feels supported and nobody is left behind!"
4 Squad Expectations (Short & Punchy)
1. Safe Bodies
Hands to self; careful footing.
2. Listen Up
Quiet ears when teammates speak.
3. No Put-Downs
Never say "You're doing it wrong."
4. Leave No One Behind
Everyone plays, helps, and finishes.
SUPPORT SQUAD CHALLENGE • FACILITATOR GUIDE PAGE 1 OF 2
Part 2
Support Squad Challenge Stations (15 Mins)
~3 Minutes Per Challenge
1
Beanbag Delivery Skill: Verbal Encouragement
Each child carries a beanbag 10–15 ft to the container and runs back to tag. Rule: Before the next runner launches, at least one teammate must cheer them on ("Go, Maya!", "You've got this!").
2
The Team Train Skill: Recovering from Mistakes
Line up with gentle hands on shoulders; navigate through 2–3 cones. If the train breaks, no blaming allowed! Teammates stop, smile, chant and reconnect.
Squad Station Signs Support Move #1
ENCOURAGE! 📣
Say Kind Words That Lift Others Up!
1
“You can do it!”
2
“Keep trying!”
3
“Nice job, team!”
Coach Rule:
Cheer loud so your teammate feels your power!
Support Move #2
HELP! 🤝
Lend a Hand Without Blaming!
1
“Do you want help?”
2
“I can show you!”
3
“Let’s do it together!”
Coach Rule:
Ask first, then guide with gentle kindness!
Support Move #3
CELEBRATE! 🎉
Cheer For Effort & High-Five Friends!
✋
High Five!
Gentle palm touch with a teammate!
🏆
“We did it together!”
Celebrate the team's hard work!
👍
Thumbs Up!
Flash big smiles across the room!
Coach Rule:
Celebrate every good try, not just winning!
#1
Squad Station
Beanbag Delivery
Skill: Encouraging
1
Carry one beanbag to the hoop (10–15 ft away).
2
Drop it in and run back to tag your teammate gently!
!
Golden Rule: Before the next runner goes, a teammate MUST shout a cheer!
Cheer Menu:
“You’ve got this!”
“Go, Team!”
“Nice job!”
Support Squad Challenge • Station Sign #1
#2
Squad Station
The Team Train 🚂
Skill: Bouncing Back
1
Stand in line with hands gently on shoulders in front of you.
2
Chug around the cones together without breaking apart!
🚂
Move slow, listen to each other, and match your footsteps!
If your train unhooks:
“That’s okay! Let’s try again!”
No blaming! Smile, link back up, and choo-choo forward!
Support Squad Challenge • Station Sign #2
#3
Squad Station
Island Crossing 🏝️
Skill: Problem-Solving
1
The floor is water! Step only on the spot islands.
2
Pass spots forward to make a path for teammates.
Support Squad Family Handout Grade 1 Teamwork & SEL September Series
Home & School Connection
Support Squad Family Guide
Growing strong teammates on the playground and caring champions at home!
Theme of the Month Supportive
Throughout September, our 1st graders are learning what it means to be truly Supportive . In our active Support Squad Challenge , students discover that true champions do not focus on being fastest—our team wins when everyone feels encouraged, helped, and included!
The 3 Support Superpowers We Practiced
Ask your child to demonstrate each move!
1
Encourage
Speaking kind words when someone feels unsure or tired.
“You've got this! Keep going!”
2
Help
Lending a hand without taking over or judging a mistake.
“Let’s do it together!”
3
Celebrate
Applauding another classmate’s effort, growth, and courage.
“I love how you kept trying!”
Inside the Gym: What Your Student Experienced
Students completed 5 collaborative mini-challenges including Beanbag Delivery (cheering on peers), The Team Train (staying linked without leaving anyone behind), and Everybody Finishes (jumping and balancing where the entire team roots for each runner until all cross the line together).
Table Talk Starters
• “Who did you encourage at recess or in gym today?”
• “What is one tricky thing where you needed a teammate's help?”
• “What can we celebrate about each member of our family tonight?”
Home Team Challenge
The 2-Minute Family Cheer Clean-Up
Put on high-energy music! Every family member picks up 5 items. While putting them away, give a high five and cheer for someone who is helping!
Notice effort: "Thank you for supporting our family team!"
Fridge Cheat-Sheet: Words That Support
🗣️ “Mistakes help our brain grow!” • 🗣️ “Take a breath, we can try again.” • 🗣️ “I love your effort!”
Thank You! Grade 1 Team