Importance of Teamwork (1)

1. Relevant Courses

Although this lesson would be most applicable to courses where teamwork is usually a primary component—such as physical education—skills related to teamwork can reinforce the curricular learning outcomes across the curriculum where communication and cooperation are stressed. It would be of greatest use to courses such as:

Health and Physical Education
English
Business Studies (especially Entrepreneurship)
Guidance, Career, and Family Life Studies
Canadian History

2.Specific Learning Objectives

analyze their own and others’ strengths relative to assuming roles within a team
model leadership skills, for those chosen as leader, and appreciate the same skills as team members
appreciate the scope of roles specific to working as a member of a team
apply effective organization and time-management skills to complete the assignment effectively and on time
demonstrate effective research skills, principally via the Internet
analyze and organize data into written and oral reports
appreciate the contributions of team members in the achievements of Canadian champion athletes

3.Skills Targeted for Development

research skills
organization and time-management skills
communication (written and oral) skills
interpersonal skills (negotiating, delegating)
analytical skills

4.Estimated Time for Implementation

Approximately 1.25 hours over two class periods

5.General Overview of the Lesson

Using video and other materials from the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, and through group-based research activities, this lesson demonstrates and reinforces the positive effects of teamwork and the skills required to assemble a team and to be an effective team member as well as team leader. Students will select a leader for their own group, assign roles to each group member, conduct individual and/or collaborative research via the Internet at home or at school, collate and analyze their findings, prepare and deliver both written and oral reports, and conduct self- and peer-evaluations on their activities.

6.Resources Required

Classroom Internet access to the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame website to view the following video clips that will be found by clicking on "Students" in the Lessons and Learning section of the website:

   Vic Hadfield (Importance of Teamwork 1)
   Michael Young (Importance of Teamwork 1)
   Larry Robinson (Importance of Teamwork 1)
   Ken Read (Importance of Teamwork 1)
   Paul Henderson (Importance of Teamwork 1)

7.Suggested Implementation Strategy

NOTE: Most of the implementation strategy is contained in the detailed group assignment below. You will need to print this out and make copies for as many groups of five as your class size allows. Prior to class, you may want to review the Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame website to familiarize yourself with the athletes in question (below), and, if you’re able, print a page with the pictures of the athletes in question.

First class

• Download and print some pictures taken from the Canada Sports Hall of Fame website (right-mouse-click on an image and then choose “print picture”). Find pictures of: Vic Hadfield, Michael Young, Larry Robinson, Ken Read, and Paul Henderson. Begin by circulating the page(s) with the pictures of these athletes asking for a show of hands in response to the question: What do you think Vic Hadfield, Michael Young, Larry Robinson, Ken Read, and Paul Henderson have in common?
• If someone responds, ask “What do they have in common?” [answer: They are all accomplished athletes who have been inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.]
• Initiate a brief discussion about what else they might have in common, probing for answers related to teamwork [they all played on teams]. Brainstorm a few positive [more work done in less time; members benefit from working from their strengths; more opportunity for discussion and interpersonal exchange] and possibly less positive [need to conform to needs and features of the team; need to follow the leader; less opportunity to be a ‘star’] features of teamwork.
• Inform the class that their assignment will involve working in groups as teams. Announce the make up of the groups you have chosen, then have each group form around its own table. Provide each table with a copy of the assignment, asking for a volunteer to read Part One aloud to the whole class so that everyone is off to the same start.
• Ask the groups to begin work.
• Facilitate by observing group work and intervening as necessary.

Second class

• Have students go into their groups immediately and begin working.

• Facilitate as needed.

• Ensure sufficient time for the reporter for each group to provide a one- to three-minute oral report from each group.

• Receive the evaluation forms from the group leaders. Initiate a brief discussion about the activity: Did they enjoy it? What worked, what didn’t? What would they do differently next time? What impressed them most about the website? Do they think they would they spend more time on the site on their own?

8.Suggested Follow-up Activities

Consider other lesson plans from the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame website related to teamwork.

9. Suggested Evaluation Activities