The first week of school in Lisa Marlarkey’s fourth-grade class at GFJ Elementary School included a fun, hands-on team-building challenge designed to help students practice important skills for the school year ahead.
Working in small groups, students were given a bag containing the pieces of a 100-piece puzzle. There was one catch; they were not given the picture of the completed puzzle. Without a guide to show them what the finished product should look like, students had to work together to develop a strategy, organize the pieces and figure out how to complete the puzzle.
The activity provided students with an opportunity to practice teamwork, communication, patience and perseverance. Students had to listen to one another, share ideas, solve problems and work through challenges when pieces didn’t immediately fit.
While the goal was to complete the puzzles, the bigger lesson was to learn how much can be accomplished when everyone works together. Each group successfully completed its puzzle, and students had a great time along the way!
It was a fun way for GFJ fourth graders to start the school year while building the collaboration and problem-solving skills that will help them throughout the year.
