Off the top of your head, how many things can you think of that are red?  The same question and challenge was posed to the children last week as the gateway to an ongoing activity to facilitate their discovery of how people successfully with others.  Their first task was to choose a recorder at each of the tables.  We briefly discussed the characteristics of a good recorder (someone who could write quickly, has neat handwriting, is a strong spelling, and a good listener).  Each table chose their own recorder and then got to work brainstorming as many ideas as they could come up with that fit the heading Things that are Red when given only 5 minutes.

After each table shared, we discussed commonalities, highlighted divergent thinking, and explored what went well and tried to troubleshoot problems that arose so that we could improve the teamwork at the different tables in the subsequent days.  We then brainstormed new ideas and tried to build on the classification of some objects (ex. food/things outside).  Tables were also asked to reflect on how well they were able to work together.  Were all voices heard?  Was time used well?  Were voices and ideas kept to the children at their particular table?

Throughout the week, another topic was revealed.  The more we did this activity, the more autonomous they became.  Each day we would review what we had learned about working successfully with others and try to build on it in the name of the success of the group.  Recorders were decided faster and with less arguing.   Groups were more focused and more children were contributing ideas.  At the end of each 5 minute session, each table shared out their ideas and commonalities and differences continued to be highlighted.  The groups were praised for their ability to work successfully with each other rather than celebrating which table came up with the most ideas.  I asked the children to reflect on the categories and choose the one that was easiest for them as well as the most challenging, and the responses were varied.  We agreed that because our brains and our bodies are all unique, our thinking would be, too.  As a result, working together and hearing different ideas is helpful for many of us because one person's idea might trigger someone else to think of something new.

Things that are soft:

Things that are outside:

Things that are smaller than your hand:

Can you think of other items to be included in any of these categories?  Leave them in the comments below!