Smart School Start

2014Academic Mini-Mixers: Paper Airplane

Teamwork Edition I: Paper Airplanes

Estimated time: 20 minutes each by Marlena Hebern

Academic Goals

Culture GoalsGet to know how kids work together

Start teaching cooperation and teamwork

Light introduction to classroom procedures

Students meet other students

Students learn to communicate and solve problems

Students have fun

In self contained classes: Do this as a school wide activity

In departmentalized classes: Do this for each period

Fast feedback! Have kids reflect on the process of

solving the problem…. What worked, what didn’t?

OR Use Socrative.com for them to do

short, open ended answers with iPads, phones or in a lab!

FUN THING! Change partners and try it again!

Paper Airplane!!

Goal:Students will work in pairs and give and follow directions in order to create

a flying airplane. !

Materials: Paper sheets 2 - per student

Directions on folding a paper airplane for each student- two different versions for the class set

!!!

http://www.amazingpaperairplanes.com/Simple.htmlPaper Airplane directions to choose from:

Paper Airplane

Step One: Class counts off 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 etc.

Paper Airplane

!!

Step Two: One’s huddle in a group and learn how to fold their style of paper airplane.

Two’s also huddle and learn

how to fold a different style of paper airplane.

Paper Airplane!!

Step Three: One’s partner with two’s. Without the written folding directions,

explain to the partner how to fold a paper airplane. !

Note: Younger students may need to watch each other, older students may place a folder

between them so the directions are given without seeing each other.

Paper Airplane

Step Four: Test the airplanes to see if they can fly!

Job Matrix

Paper Airplane

Student 1 Student 2

Job: Explains how to fold a paper airplane

Job: Follows directions and folds paper airplane

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Students now have an idea of team roles! !

Can you extend this concept into your daily routine?

!

Who gets supplies, or passes out materials?

D A

I L

Y R

O U

T I

N E

1 student asks the teacher questions 1 student keeps every one on task

1 student networks with other groups 1 student takes care of supplies

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How could you use team roles in your class?

G R

O U

P

W O

R K What if….?