February Half Term is over, and it is back to the virtual classroom for almost all children and teachers. After a week away from daily digital lessons, pupils may be struggling to get their brains back into school mode. We have put together a list of 5 school team building activities that will bring some fun to online classes and get students ready for learning!
1. Take a picture
They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and this is so true when it comes to online learning!
This activity is a quick icebreaker that will get many students laughing. It will also help teachers to gauge if others are feeling a bit down.
Task: To get students to answer questions using just their facial expressions.
Explanation: Get all your students on-screen with microphones off. Then explain that you are going to ask them a question, then count down from 3-2-1 and then you want them to show you the answer using their faces. They must stay sat in their seats, but they may use theirs hands as well if they wish. At the end of your countdown, when all the students are making their faces, take a screenshot. When everyone has finished, pop the screenshot up so that everyone can see it and ask individual students to explain to the class why they made a certain face. Some students may not feel comfortable with sharing, and that’s okay, they might do so later on when they feel more comfortable.
Examples of questions might be:
- Show me the face that best describes how your half term was
- Show me the face that best describes how you are feeling about being back in virtual school
- Show me the face that best describes what your favourite snack tastes like
- Show me the face that best describes how you feel about coming back to school properly
The questions can be a deep or as surface as you like, depending on what your aim is for the session.
Image Source: Pexels
2. Something that can be used as
This is a really fun challenge to get children and young people to use their imagination, and turn everyday objects into extraordinary things!
Task: To get students to explain alternative uses for objects
Explanation: This can be done as a whole class challenge or can be broken down into smaller groups if you wish. The smaller the group, the easier this challenge is. Let your class know that they will be taking turns and what order they will be going in. It is a good idea to put this onscreen somewhere students can refer back to, maybe in the group chat or take a screen shot and make it visible to all if you are going to go along the lines of children on your screen.
Pick an everyday object that everyone should have to hand and ask each student to come up with a use for that object that is different from it’s original use. Then the next student has to come up with another use for the same object and so on. Students cannot repeat each other’s answers!
Example: If you picked a shoe as the item, one alternative use could be as a mouse house, another could be to use it for bailing water out of a sinking boat or placed on a hand as a glove.
Encourage learners to really use their imaginations to come up with all sorts of interesting ideas!
Image Source: Pexels
3. CountUp
People might have heard of Countdown, but have you heard of CountUp?
The best thing about this challenge is that once children know it, it can be done at any time, in any place, and started by anyone! It needs no equipment at all and can be played virtually and when students are together in physical groups. It can also very easily be made easier or more difficult depending on the age and number of children taking part in the team building activity.
Task: For the team to count up to a specified number in order with no communication
Explanation: Pick a number for your team to count up to from 1 in numerical order. We like to use 10 as a starting point, but if you have a larger group, try 20. Then explain that anyone can say a number but the numbers have to be said in order. If more than one person says that number at the same time, then the whole group has to start again. Students are not allowed to communicate with each other at all for this challenge, but as a team need to reach their goal.
Variations
Different variations for virtual renditions of this challenge could be for everyone to turn off their cameras. Another option could be to keep cameras on, but turn off microphones and ask students to use their fingers or write on a piece of paper and hold it up to the screen. It can even be done in just the chat box, with student typing the answers.
CountUp is such a simple and easy team building activity game for children that works for every age and year group.
Image Source: Pixabay
4. Catchphrase
Alternatively known as Dingbats!
This is a whole class activity, or again, children can be split into smaller teams for this challenge.
Task: For students to solve the common word or saying in the pictures provided.
Explanation: Share a picture on your screen with the class and ask them to think about the answer. When someone thinks they know it, use your normal system for when someone wants to speak in virtual class. Alternatively, come up with something new as a way for your students to tell you that they think they know the answer (some teachers ask the students to dance or wave at their camera, or, if keeping microphones on, they might call out. If the answer is something the whole class does not know, ask the person who gave the answer to explain it to everyone.
If you want to add a team competition elements, it could be that for every correct answer they give, their team gets a point.
Example:
Answer: Jack in the Box
A really cool variation of this challenge once you’ve done a few rounds is to ask students to come up with their own for the class to guess. They can draw it out and hold it up to their camera or use a computer programme like Paint. Remember to make it well known and not rude!
5.Think Quick
A fast and furious brain warm up, this team building activity will wake your students up and get them energised for learning.
This game can be played several different ways, or a combination of ways, depending on the age of your children.
Task: For student to think and speak quick!
Explanation: You can either tell students what order they are going in beforehand or call out names as you go. Find what works best for your class. Explain that you are going to hold up an object/picture of an object. Students then havehave 2 seconds to tell you what the object is. You can use a variety of objects, although a simple one to start with is a deck of cards. If the 2 seconds pass and the student has not managed to say what the object is, toss the object and move on to the next person. The faster this game is, the more fun the children will have.
Variations
There are several harder variations. One is to ask student to tell you what the object is not. This means they have to say something completely different from what you hold up (it’s harder than it sounds!). Another variation is that students have to tell you another object that begins with the same letter. A third variation is to say an object that is the compete opposite of the one you are holding up.
If you really want to make it challenging, change up the criteria with each person and object. For example the first student might have to tell you what the object is. The next student has to tell you what the object isn’t, while the next student has to say an opposite object etc.
Your class will give some interesting answers, so be prepared to laugh a lot!
Image Source: Unsplash
School Team Building Activities
Ice breakers and team building activities are a brilliant way for children to have fun while learning. Problem solving challenges are simple and easy to incorporate into virtual sessions with classes. These will help students and teachers get into the zone, ready for the next few weeks of term.
For more school team building ideas, check out our free activities page or get in touch with WiseUp Team Building to find out what activities we can bring to you once schools re-open.
Title Image Source: Pixabay
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