River Rescue Slides River Rescue
Teamwork Trek: Day 1
Work Together
Cross the River
The Floor is Lava!
Oh no! Our classroom floor has turned into a hot lava river!
We need to get our whole team across to the safe grass on the other side.
"How can we get everyone across without touching the lava?"
Hot Lava!
The Magic Stones
🪨
Step on the stones to stay safe.
🤝
Share your stones with friends.
🚫
If you touch the floor, start over!
Wait! There are not enough stones for everyone to have their own!
How to Win
1
Talk to your team. "How can we help?"
2
Move the stones together.
3
Wait for your friends. No one left behind!
Ready to Solve?
Put your hands together...
1, 2, 3... TEAM!
Go to your start line!
River Rescue Teacher Guide River Rescue Guide
Teamwork Trek: Lesson 1 Facilitation
30-40 MIN
Big Goal
Students will work together to move a group across a space using limited "safe zones" without touching the ground, demonstrating resource sharing and verbal cooperation.
Equipment
12-15 Poly Spots (or carpet squares)
Painters Tape (to mark start/finish)
"River Rescue" Slide Deck
Setting the Scene
Prepare a clear space about 20-30 feet long.
Start
Safe Meadow
LAVA RIVER
Finish
Treasure Island
SAFETY: Ensure poly spots are non-slip. Remind students: "Slow and steady saves the team!" No pushing or jumping onto spots.
Activity Steps
1
The Problem (5m)
Introduce the scenario using the Slides. Divide class into groups of 4-5 students. Give each group **3 poly spots**.
2
Group Huddle (5m)
Ask: "How can 5 people fit on 3 spots? How will we get the spots from behind us to the front of us?" Allow groups to try ideas on the 'grass' before entering the 'river'.
3
The Crossing (15m)
Students attempt the crossing. If anyone touches the floor, the whole team returns to the bank. **Observation:** Look for students passing spots forward or holding hands for balance.
4
Reflect (10m)
Gather at "Treasure Island". Discuss: "What was the hardest part? Who had a great idea to help the team?"
Exploration Questions
If they are stuck...
"What could we do with the spot at the very back of the line?"
To encourage sharing...
"Is there enough room on that stone for two sets of toes?"
River Rescue Worksheet River Rescue!
How did your team cross the lava?
Name
Date
1 Draw your team crossing the river.
Show the magic stones and your friends!
2 Circle how you felt working together:
😊
Happy
🤔
Thinking
🙌
Proud
"We are stronger when we work together!"
Tangled Team Slides Tangled Team
Teamwork Trek: Day 2
Smart Thinking
Lots of Patience
What is a Human Knot?
We stand in a circle and hold hands with new friends.
Now, we are tangled like a ball of yarn!
"Can we untangle without letting go?"
Team Rules
Glue Hands
Never let go of your friend's hand. It's like magic glue!
Slow Snail
Move very slowly so nobody gets hurt or pulled.
Smart Moves
Listen to your team's ideas.
Use your words, not your muscles.
Be patient! It takes time.
Ready to Untangle?
Find a group of 6 friends and
make a circle!
🤝 🌀 🤝
Tangled Team Teacher Guide Tangled Team Guide
Teamwork Trek: Lesson 2 Facilitation
20-30 MIN
Big Goal
Students will physically cooperate to "untangle" a human knot, practicing patience and verbal instruction without breaking physical contact.
Key Skills
Patience
Gentle Movement
Directing Others
How to Play
Step 1:
Form groups of 6 students. Have them stand in a small, tight circle facing each other.
Step 2:
Each student puts their right hand into the middle and grabs a friend's hand (not the person directly next to them).
Step 3:
Now the left hand goes in. Grab a DIFFERENT friend's hand. (Check: No one should be holding both hands of the same person).
Step 4:
The Challenge! Untangle the knot into a circle without ever letting go of hands.
Teacher Tips
Safety First
"Use your words, not your muscles." If a student feels like their arm is being pulled too hard, they should say **"FREEZE!"** and everyone stops moving immediately.
Simplification
For Kindergarten, if 6 is too hard, try groups of 4. You can also allow them to "re-grip" once if they get stuck in a way that is physically uncomfortable.
The Debrief
Tangled Team Worksheet Tangled Team
I am a patient problem-solver!
My Name
🤝
Team Player
The Knot!
Draw your hands tangled with your friends.
Patient Badges
Color the badge if you did this today:
I Listened
To my friends
Slow Move
No pulling!
Kept Trying
Even when hard
How did your team feel after untangling?
🥳
😮
💪
Treasure Travelers Slides Treasure Travelers
Teamwork Trek: Day 3
Coordination
Balance
Protect the Treasure!
We have a very special treasure (this ball!) that we must move across the land.
The Catch:
No hands can touch the treasure. We can only use the Magic Tarp.
⚽
Keep it steady!
Tarp Secret Sauce
🤏
Tighten
Pull your edge of the tarp to keep it flat!
🚶♂️
Together
If one person runs, the ball falls off!
👀
Watch
Keep your eyes on the ball at all times.
The Map
🌲
The Forest
⛰️
The Mountain
🏆
The Castle
"Go slow through the forest, lift high over the mountain!"
Grab Your Edge!
Small groups, choose a treasure...
And don't let it fall!
🤝 🟦 🤝
Treasure Travelers Teacher Guide Treasure Tarp Guide
Teamwork Trek: Lesson 3 Facilitation
30 MIN
Big Goal
Groups coordinate their physical height and tension to move a ball across an obstacle course using a large sheet or tarp.
Gear List
1 Tarp/Sheet per 6 students
1 Inflatable Ball or Soft Toy
Cones (for obstacles)
The Adventure Route
1. The Forest
Place cones in a zigzag pattern. Teams must weave through without the ball touching a cone.
2. The Mountain
Place a high jump bar or string. Teams must lift the tarp high to pass the treasure over it.
3. The Bridge
Lay two parallel ropes on the floor. Students must keep their feet inside the "bridge" ropes.
Coaching for Success
Watch the Sag!
If the ball isn't moving, the tarp is likely too loose. Remind students to "pull the sheet flat like a tabletop."
Team Leader?
Encourage groups to pick a "Navigator" who watches the floor obstacles while the others watch the ball.
If this happens... Try saying this... Ball keeps rolling off front "Front team, lift your hands higher like a wall!" Students are arguing "Wait! Is our treasure safe? Let's take 3 deep breaths together."
Treasure Travelers Worksheet Treasure Travelers
Keeping the treasure safe!
⭐
Explorer Badge
Adventurer Name
Date
Our Magic Tarp
Draw your team holding the tarp. Don't forget the treasure in the middle!
How did we do?
1
I held my edge!
2
I watched the ball!
3
I said "Great job!"
Shelter Squad Slides Shelter Squad
Teamwork Trek: Day 4
Building
Team Roles
The Great Build
A giant wind is coming! Your team needs a safe shelter to stay dry and cozy.
"How can we build something big together?"
📦
Boxes
🧣
Fabric
🧱
Blocks
📎
Clips
Who Does What?
🚚
Gathers
Finds the boxes and blankets we need.
🤝
Holders
Holds the walls steady while others build.
🏗️
Builders
Stacks the boxes and places the roof.
Safety First
!
No climbing on the boxes.
!
Keep your hands on your own building materials.
✓
Say "Can I help with that?"
Start the Squad!
Pick your role, find your team...
Happy Building!
Shelter Squad Teacher Guide Shelter Squad Guide
Teamwork Trek: Lesson 4 Facilitation
45-60 MIN
Big Goal
Students collaborate to construct a physical structure, focusing on assigning and executing specific roles (Gatherer, Holder, Builder).
Materials
📦 Large Boxes
🧣 Blankets/Fabric
🧲 Clips/Tape
🧸 Pillows
Managing Roles
In Kindergarten, role assignment prevents the "everyone grab everything" chaos. Use lanyard cards or colored stickers to signify roles:
GATHERER
Retrieves items from the central "supply pile." Limits 2 items per trip.
HOLDER
The "steady hands." Holds boxes up while others secure them. Essential for safety.
BUILDER
The "placer." Decides where the item goes and attaches it.
Session Timeline
Introduction (10m)
View slides, assign roles, and sketch a "quick plan" on the floor using masking tape.
Active Build (25m)
Provide feedback on stability. Remind teams: "No one enters the shelter until the Builder says it is safe!"
Tour & Clean-up (15m)
Each team shows their "special feature" (a window, a soft floor). Clean up as a whole squad.
The "Role" Question:
"How did having a special job make the building easier today?"
Shelter Squad Worksheet Our Shelter Plan
What will our team house look like?
Architect Name
My Job Today
Gather Hold Build
The Blueprint
Draw your shelter. Show the boxes, the blankets, and where the door is!
TOP SECRET
What did we use? (Circle them!)
📦
Boxes
🧣
Blankets
🧱
Blocks
🧸
Soft Stuff
"Every brick needs a friend to hold it!"
Team Spirit Slides Team Spirit Sprint
Teamwork Trek: Day 5
Cheering
Completion
What is a Team Relay?
In this race, it doesn't matter who is the fastest runner.
"How can we win?"
We win by finishing all the Team Challenges at each station!
Challenge Stations
🙌
1. High Five
Every person on the team must high-five every other person!
⭕
2. Hoop Pass
Hold hands in a line. Pass the hoop from the start to the end.
📣
3. Team Cheer
Make up a dance or a cheer and do it 3 times together!
Spirit Power
When your friend is running, what do you do?
Say This:
"Go, go, go! You can do it!"
Do This:
Clap your hands and smile!
👏
Kind words give our team SUPER STRENGTH!
Ready for the Relay?
We are a team... we work together...
WE ARE CHAMPIONS!
To the starting line!
Team Spirit Teacher Guide Team Spirit Guide
Teamwork Trek: Lesson 5 Facilitation
40 MIN
Final Mission
Students participate in a relay where completion of collaborative tasks is the metric for success, reinforcing all teamwork skills learned in the unit.
Setup Needs
🏁 Hula Hoops
🏁 Cones for Start/Finish
🏁 Whistle / Music
🏁 "Team Spirit" Sticker/Medals
Relay Course Stations
1
The Handshake Hub
Individual run to the station. Task: The runner must high-five everyone on their team waiting at the start line before the next runner can go.
2
The Hoop Loop
The whole team moves together. Task: Pass a hula hoop down the line from first to last student without breaking hand-grip.
3
The Victory Dance
Task: Team must create a 4-count dance move (e.g., Jump, Jump, Clap, Spin) and perform it in unison at the finish line.
Managing Competition
Kindergarteners can get very upset if they "lose." Focus the competition on "Who had the loudest cheer?" or "Who did the dance at the same time?" rather than time.
Differentiation
For students with mobility challenges, allow the team to choose a "stationary task" at their position that everyone must do together before the next turn.
The Big Wrap-Up
Gather the whole class. Ask: "How did it feel when your friends cheered for you? Are we better at solving problems now than we were on Day 1?"
Team Spirit Worksheet Team Spirit Star
I finished the Teamwork Trek!
Team Hero Name
My Teamwork Journey
🪨
Day 1
🌀
Day 2
⚽
Day 3
📦
Day 4
🏁
Day 5
My Favorite Challenge
Draw the activity you liked doing the most with your friends.
Am I a good teammate?
I help, I listen, and I cheer!
YES!