Team building is an excellent method for employees in a workplace to know each other in a comfortable environment. They get a chance to acquaint with each other on a more personal level. This primarily works well at the beginning of a new semester as you are most likely to find some new faces among colleagues. A successful mindset boosts teachers’ morale and helps the students perform well. However, it is necessary to discover the right exercises so as not to discourage some teachers. Not every activity that you chose will work well for everyone so pick well.
Here are 8 team building undertakings that will help to motivate and grow working relationships with educators.
- The One Question Ice Breaker
The idea is to get coworkers talking to each other. Everyone gets to introduce each other’s name; then pair members into teams and ask the participants to come up with one question each. They must then walk around asking the same question to everyone in the group. Chose a topic and each member would have to come up with an answer which determines if the person is good at it or not. The activity can be fun depending on the situation. The exercise is to see how educators approach problem solving.
2. Sneak a Peek
The instructor divides groups into a team of four. The instructor then aims to challenge each group to try and build an exact copy of a small sculpture. They are then given the correct materials to help them create the same statue. One person gets called to come and peak at the model for just a few seconds, they then go back to the teams and describe what they have seen. They are then supposed to build the replica of the model until the first side succeeds. The exercise helps teach the participants how to solve problems in a group and communicate efficiently.
3. Two Truths, and a Lie
In this game, each person in a group secretly writes down two truths about themselves and one lie, without revealing to anyone what they have each written down. Then, people get a chance to mingle in a party. Here, people are supposed to ask each other about their three questions. You have to try your level best to convince them that your lie is real. After the conversation, the group then gathers, and each gets a turn. You are supposed to tell them your three statements, and the team tries to guess which one they think is a lie. This is a favorite game amongst colleagues with an observation that 87% of them are likely to stay in the institution once they develop this bond.
4. The Barter Puzzle
Divide your group into teams of equal members. Give each of the groups a particular jigsaw puzzle of similar difficulty. They are supposed to complete the problem after a specified period. The tricky part is that some pieces of their puzzles get shared with other teams. The purpose of the game is to try convincing other groups to give you the pieces that you need either through barter, merging, exchanging one of your members, etc. You must decide what to choose as a group. The exercise is meant to enhance teamwork amongst colleagues.
5. Have You Ever
This is an interactive game intended to keep you up and to move around. The game works well with larger groups. They get to sit in chairs in a circular mode. The instructor then explains that they will call out different things that may or may not apply to you. If the educators finds that they have done the activity, they run to the middle and high five each other. Make sure not to ask questions that can embarrass the teachers. This exercise is meant to better communication and helps the educators in getting to know each other.
6. Go on a Retreat
Going on a retreat is not an actual exercise but colleagues can decide to take a trip together. They could organize a camping trip; go for a spa or any other exciting adventure. You don’t need to have an expensive budget to do it, just ask resorts if they offer a decent discount on educators group. This will help co-workers find out the things that they have in common when not at work. This exercise is meant to let educators get self motivation which helps them succeed and also get a chance to know each other.
7. Who Am I?
This is an exciting activity as you get to know your colleagues on a more personal level and find out the things that they have in common. How it works is that each teacher works with a friend. The teachers sit in a circle, and each writes down a remarkable fact about their life. All the papers are then put in one bowl and shuffled together. The teachers then get to pull out one note at a time and guess whose fact it is they are reading. The motive of the activity is an excellent way to create teamwork and communication skills.
8. Six Degrees of Separation
This operation requires each educator to work with a friend. The objective is to make a draft of five things that they share mutually with each other. Once accomplished, each finds a new teammate who shares at least one thing they have in common. This carries on until every teacher has something in common with each person in the room. The activity helps build rapport at work.
Conclusion
There is a famous saying that no work without play makes Jack a dull boy. It is vital to motivate educators as they will work towards delivering excellent results. When you organize team building events, even the students under the educators can perform well in an environment where their teachers are enthusiastic and passionate about their work. You are also building trust with colleagues, and friends are made here. What other activities do you think can get incorporated into institutions to benefit educators work towards boosting their morale?
BIO: Lori Wade is a content writer who is interested in a wide range of spheres from education and online marketing to entrepreneurship. She is also an aspiring tutor striving to bring education to another level like we all do. Also, she can explain the difference between nature vs nurture essay. If you are interested in writing, you can find her on Twitter or Google+ or find her on other social media. Read and take over Lori’s useful insights!
