Synergize Success Lesson Plan
Synergize Success
Habit 6: The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
Duration 30 MIN
WHY THIS MATTERS
Understanding synergy helps students appreciate different perspectives, improve problem-solving skills, and achieve greater success in group settings, both in school and in life.
AUDIENCE & APPROACH
Audience: 6th Grade Students (Tier 2 Group)
Approach: Discussion, real-world examples, and a hands-on collaborative tower-building challenge.
OBJECTIVE
Students will understand the concept of synergy (Habit 6) and practice combining diverse strengths to achieve a superior collective outcome.
PREP & MATERIALS
Preparation (10 mins)
- Review Slide Deck, Activity Guide, and Script.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready.
- Gather construction paper, scissors, and tape/glue.
Materials List
- Whiteboard / Projector
- Synergize Slide Deck
- Synergize Activity Guide
- Construction Paper (various colors)
- Scissors, Tape, or Glue Sticks
Lesson Flow
5m
Introduction to Synergy
- Hook: Ask students about times they worked with others. (Slide 1)
- Define: Introduce Habit 6. Explain "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." (Slides 2-3)
- Why it Matters: Discuss the importance of valuing differences.
5m
Exploring Differences
- Discussion: Lead a conversation on how people have different strengths and ideas. (Slide 4)
- Examples: Provide life examples: bands, sports teams, cooking. (Slide 5)
15m
Synergy Tower Challenge
- The Challenge: Groups of 3-4 build the tallest freestanding tower using only paper and tape/glue.
- Focus: Actively listen, combine strengths, and build on contributions.
- Facilitate: Circulate and prompt: "How can you combine those two ideas?"
5m
Debrief and Reflection
- Share: Each group shares their tower and one collaboration lesson.
- Connect: Reflection discussion on Slide 6.
- Wrap-up: Encourage synergistic solutions in daily life. (Slide 7)
Synergize Success Slides
Synergize
Success!
Working Better Together: Habit 6
Slide 1: Welcome & Introduction
What is Synergy?
01
Working together to achieve more.
02
It's when 1 + 1 = 3 (or more!)
03
Combining ideas and strengths for the best solution.
1+1=3
The Synergy Formula
The Power of Synergy
Unlock new, creative ideas.
Solve complex problems creatively.
Everyone contributes their best.
The final outcome is
stronger and better!
Valuing Differences
-
Differences are a STRENGTH!
-
Listening to diverse viewpoints gives a fuller picture.
-
Find solutions no one person could think of alone.
Synergy in Action
Sports Teams
Bands & Orchestras
Cooking Together
Building Projects
Reflection
Our Synergy Challenge!
- How did your group work together?
- Did you combine different ideas?
- What was the best part of your team?
Synergize Every Day!
Look for Opportunities
Value Different Ideas
Listen Actively
Together, we can create amazing things!
Synergize Success Script
Instructional Script
Synergize Success! (Habit 6)
Teacher Resource
Intro
Slide 1
1. Introduction to Synergy (5 mins)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to dive into a really powerful habit that can help us achieve amazing things, especially when we work with others. Before we get into it, I want you to think about a time you worked on something with friends or classmates. Maybe it was a project, a game, or even building something."
Pause for a few student responses
"Excellent! Sometimes when we work with others, something special happens. We call this Synergy! Synergy is Habit 6 from The Leader in Me, and it's all about working together to achieve more."
Slide 2
Slide 3
"Think about it like this: if you add 1 and 1, you usually get 2, right? But with synergy, 1 + 1 can equal 3, or even 10, or 100! It means the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When we synergize, we unlock new and creative ideas, solve problems in ways we couldn't alone, and ultimately, our final outcomes are stronger and better!"
Differences
Slide 4
Slide 5
2. Exploring Differences (5 mins)
"A huge part of synergy is understanding that we all have different ideas, skills, and ways of seeing the world. And guess what? These differences are actually our super strengths! Imagine if everyone in a sports team played the exact same position, or if every instrument in a band was a drum. Would that work very well? No!"
Ask: "Can you think of other examples?"
Activity
Tower Challenge
3. Synergy Challenge Activity (15 mins)
"Alright, it's time to put synergy into action! Today, your challenge is to build the tallest freestanding tower possible using only some simple materials. You'll be working in small groups of 3-4."
"You must synergize! That means actively listening to everyone's ideas and building upon each other's contributions. Don't just work next to each other; work with each other! Ready, set, SYNERGIZE!"
Teacher Action
Circulate, observe, and offer gentle prompts. Ensure all students are participating and contributing. Look for moments where students are combining ideas.
Wrap-Up
Slide 6
Slide 7
4. Debrief and Reflection (5 mins)
"Time's up! Wow, look at all these incredible towers! Each group, briefly show off your tower and share one thing your team learned about synergizing."
"As we finish today, remember Habit 6. Look for opportunities to work with others and value their ideas. Together, there's no limit to what we can accomplish! Thank you, everyone!"
Synergize Activity Guide
Synergy Tower Challenge!
Can your team build the tallest tower by working together?
The Goal
Work with your team to build the tallest freestanding tower possible using only the materials provided!
Materials
- Construction Paper
- Scissors
- Tape or Glue Stick
Habit 6!
Remember Synergy:
- • Value Differences
- • Work Together Creatively
- • 1 + 1 = 3 (or more!)
Instructions
1
Form Your Team
Work in a small group of 3-4 students.
2
Brainstorm Ideas (Synergize!)
Take a few minutes to share all your ideas. Listen carefully to everyone. Discuss how you can combine the best parts of each person's idea into one great plan!
3
Design and Build
Work collaboratively. Cut, fold, and attach paper to build a stable structure. Keep talking! If something isn't working, ask your team for ideas on how to fix it.
4
Test Your Tower
Once you think you're done, make sure your tower can stand freely for at least 5 seconds without being touched!
5
Prepare to Share
Be ready to show off your tower and share one thing your team learned about synergizing during this challenge.
Synergy Tip: The goal isn't just to build a tower—it's to create something better together than any one person could do alone!
