How to Teach Teamwork and Character Education to Kids

Teaching early learners goes way beyond sticking to the curriculum. Modeling good character and behavior traits is a big part of teaching elementary students. At the beginning of the school year, it is important to teach teamwork to kids. Teamwork is an important character trait that you want your students to possess. In this post, I’ll share how to teach teamwork to kids by using some low-prep activities and engaging ideas they will love.

Teamwork Activities for Elementary Students

This post will help you teach:

What teamwork is
How to show teamwork
How to build communication skills with kids
Fun games that teach teamwork to kids

Introduce Group Rules Using Posters

To being teaching teamwork to the class, we talk about why it is important to be a good team member. Next, I like to give all of my students a poster of important rules they need to know when working in a group. I will either show the class the group rules posters or make our own rules on an anchor chart.

Next, I have my class discuss the rules together then we practice the rules by playing a simple game with a friend. Once we know the rules, I have my class draw pictures, write a sentence, or complete an activity to show what they have learned.

Teach Teamwork to Kids with Books

I like to incorporate books and reading passages about teamwork and character education whenever I get the chance. Nonfiction readers are also a great way to teach your class how to take notes while you’re reading. Students listen to the passage, then write facts or answer questions after listening to the stories.

teach teamwork to kids reading passage image

A nonfiction reader that I like to use is from my Character Education Worksheet pack. It focuses on communication and character traits that great teammates have. I like to print it out and create mini books for each student or use the digital version to add to a social studies center for extra work when students finish other assignments early.

Here is a list of books that focus on teamwork:

Swimmy by Leo Lionni
Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
Ping vs. Pong by Mauro Patti
The Enormous Potato by Aubrey Davis

Teach Teamwork to Kids: Digital Activities

teach teamwork to kids with digital slides picture

I am a big fan of using digital resources as well as worksheets in my class. Google Slides can make any topic fun because it adds some independence to most learning situations. I like to use extra resources as an early finisher/incentive to learn more about a topic we’re working on.

This activity is from my Character Education Digital Activities pack and focuses on three characteristics that promote teamwork in the classroom. Students will learn about the importance of communication, cooperation, and courage when working in a group.

Websites About Teamwork

Another fun way to teach teamwork to kids is by showing them some fun videos on YouTube. There are lost of great short films that show cute examples of teamwork that your kids will love to watch.

Here is one of my favorites!

Teamwork Video

Low-Prep Teamwork Activities

Teaching your class about teamwork can be a great way for students to practice how to work together. Young learners need to be able to practice social skills in order to grow socially and emotionally in your class.

The teamwork activities in this post are from my Character Education, Good Citizenship, and Social Skills Worksheets unit and my Character Education and Character Traits for Google Slides Pack.

Click HERE for the printable unit and HERE for the digital version. OR save money by purchasing the paper and digital bundle HERE.

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