1. teamWORK

2. Why teamwork? One of the best ways to improve communication skills in high school students is to involve them in team-building activities. It will help the students interact with each other, and at the same time, enhance their communication skills. Team building is a way to teach students to efficiently work with a diverse group to solve a problem or complete a task. It requires communication skills and the ability to compromise as well as support others. From Team Building Activities to Improve Teen Communication by Dr. Patricia Fioriello on February 2, 2010. http://highschoolmediator.com/team-building-activities-to-improve-teen-communication/

3. teamWORK For a team to perform as a whole, it needs a common vision and thought. A team that consists of people from diverse backgrounds will also have conflicting ideas and opinions. This is when strengthening the bond between team members is very important to achieve a common goal. Team bonding activities are essential to bring this feeling of oneness. Such activities not only foster a feeling of togetherness; they also add more excitement and pep up the energy levels of people. Members of a team learn to handle things together and are able to develop their skills. The whole process of team bonding is to ensure a close-knit group of people who are motivated and encouraged to perform with a sense of commitment. In professional organizations in particular, team bonding activities even enhance performance levels when employees feel motivated about their work. More and more organizations are using these ideas to boost productivity. From “Team Bonding Activities” by Kashmira Lad at http://www.buzzle.com/articles/team-bonding- activities.html

4. Composition of a Team Team building works best when the students are randomly divided into teams or a team is created by the teacher. The group assignments should consist of students with different strengths and students who are also not too familiar with each other. This will encourage the students to work and learn from individuals with different skills while solving a problem. Team-building activities gear up the teens and should be designed to help students learn skills that improve their ability to work cooperatively with others. From Team Building Activities to Improve Teen Communication by Dr. Patricia Fioriello on February 2, 2010. http://highschoolmediator.com/team-building-activities-to-improve-teen-communication/

5. Building Blind Students work in pairs or triads. One student is designated as the “leader;” the other students are the “builders.” The leader has visual access to a simple structure (made of Legos, tinker toys, or similar items), but the builders do not. Each group also has a box of building materials identical to those used to make the hidden structure. The task is for the team to duplicate this structure under two conditions: the builders cannot see the original structure, and the leader cannot touch the original structure or any of the building materials. The leader must direct his teammates using verbal cues only. This forces the leader to be precise in the directions he gives and forces the builders to use listening skills and follow instructions exactly. Read more at Suite101: Team Building Activities for Teens: Group and Classroom Games to Promote Communication Skills | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/team-building-activities-for-teens- a34157#ixzz1Xsj8FYGq

6. Directions, Directions Students work in groups of 4-6. One person starts, identifying and performing a small task (i.e. “Clap hands three times”). The next person repeats and performs the same tasks, then adds on one of his or her own (i.e. “Clap hands three times, stick out tongue”). Play continues around the group, with each person performing and adding a new task to the mix. Students who cannot complete the sequence correctly are out until the next round. This game requires students to follow directions, focus, listen carefully, and utilize memory skills. Read more at Suite101: Team Building Activities for Teens: Group and Classroom Games to Promote Communication Skills | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/team-building- activities-for-teens-a34157#ixzz1Xsj8FYGq

7. After the activity An important part of team building exercises is participants' reflection and discussion about the activity, how they approached the situation, and possible points of learning. From Introduction to Team-Building Activities by James Neill at http://wilderdom.com/games/TeamBuildingExercisesAbout.html

8. Ways to incorporate teamWORK into yearbook and journalism Ceremony Weekly games Food Photographer, Designer, Reporter Double up

9. Don’t forget! The whole process of team bonding is to create a close-knit group of people who are motivated and encouraged to perform with a sense of commitment.