W 541

TEAMWORK MAKES
THE DREAM WORK
Setting Goals and Dividing Work Among a Team
Wendy York, Middle School Teacher, McDougle Middle School
James Swart, Graduate Assistant, Tennessee 4-H Youth Development
Jennifer Richards, Curriculum Specialist, Tennessee 4-H Youth Development
Tennessee 4-H Youth Development This lesson plan has been
developed as part of the TIPPs
for 4-H curriculum.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Setting Goals and Dividing Work Among a Team

Skill Level
Beginner, 5th Grade Introduction to Content
Learner Outcomes Students work in teams to complete
The learner will be able to: several small tasks related to defining
 Identify a goal their team can accomplish
teamwork and then create an achievable
 List the strengths and limitations of team
members goal and action plan for completing their
 Create a plan for accomplishing a team goal as a team. This lesson serves as a
goal good reinforcement for the Goals, Goals,
Goals lesson in the 5th Grade TIPPs
Educational Standard(s) Supported curriculum set.
5.FL.WC.4
5.SL.CC.1
Introduction to Methodology
Success Indicator The lesson begins by having students
Learners will be successful if they:
complete a self-assessment of their
 Work collaboratively with teammates to
set an achievable goal strengths and limitations related to
 Identify the skills that each team member working as a team. Students are then
could contribute to meet the goal grouped into teams where they complete
small tasks related to teamwork before
Time Needed identifying a goal and action plan to
45 Minutes
complete that goal.
Materials List
Teamwork Assessment Handout, one per
student
Team Goals Handout, one per group of four
students

Author
3
Swart, James. Graduate Assistant,
Tennessee 4-H Youth Development.

Prepared using research based practices in youth

development and experiential learning.
 Terms and Concepts Introduction Tips for Engagement
Teamwork- the combined action of a group of people, especially when As students are working in
effective and efficient. their teams, rotate around the
classroom to ensure that all
students are engaged in the
process. If you find that
some students are not
engaged, ask them questions
Setting the Stage and Opening Questions to reengage them in their
group and in the activity.
Begin by saying, “What do the Tennessee Titans, the Atlanta Braves and
the Washington Capitals all have in common?” Students should respond
that they are all teams.

“Right! Those are all different teams, and all the individuals on those
teams have to work together to accomplish goals. Today, we are going to
learn about working as a team toward a specific goal. To start today’s
class, I’m going to pass out a short questionnaire that asks you about your
personal strengths and limitations when it comes to working as a team.
Fill this out, and hold on to it. You’ll need it later in class.”

Pass out the student handout and allow students time to complete the
assessment.

Say to the students, “By the end of class today, you should be able to
identify a goal your team can accomplish, list the strengths and
limitations of yourself and your team members, and create an action plan
for achieving your goal with your team.”

Experience
Say to the students, “You’re now going to work in teams to complete these small tasks that are all related to
working as a team. Each group will have a handout where you will list your responses to each of the tasks.
The first task you and your team will complete is to brainstorm three to five words that describe
teamwork. The second task is for you and your team to come up with a definition of teamwork. The last
task your team will complete during this part of class is to write three guidelines for working with teams
that you all feel are important.”

Group the students into teams of four, pass out the team handout, and allow the teams to complete the task.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 2

Share
After all the teams have completed the tasks, ask students from each
Life Skill(s) from TIPPs
group to share their responses to each of the tasks. After all teams have for 4-H
shared, provide students with the dictionary definition of teamwork, and
have them evaluate how close their team’s definition was. 5th Grade
Teamwork- the combined action of a group of people, especially when
effective and efficient. As part of a group, identify
and agree on a common task
(set a goal). (Hands)
Process Divide a team task and
identify contributions by each
Say, “Now, if you will flip your handout over, you’ll see more blank person. (Hands)
space for your team to fill in. In your teams, I would like you all to
come up with a goal related to serving your community that your Participate in 4-H club
team can accomplish over the next month. Discuss and then write meetings by saying pledges,
the goal you decide down in the top box, labeled GOAL.” completing activities, and
being engaged. (Head)
Allow teams to define a goal and then ask teams to share their goal.
Use good manners. (Heart)
Generalize

Say, “Everyone take out their assessment they completed at the

beginning of class. Looking at that and comparing it to your
teammates, create a list of strengths and limitations your team has
related to your goal. For example, if your goal is to organize a
community park clean up, and all of your team members marked
that communication is a weakness of theirs, list it under the
limitation column.”

Allow students to complete this portion of the activity.

Apply
Say, “Now that you know each of your team members’ strengths and
limitations related to your goal, come up with an action plan to achieve
your goal. This plan should include intermediate steps related to the
goal. Assign a team member to complete each of the steps based on
their strengths.”

Allow students to work through this process and then share their plan with
the class.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 3

Supplemental Information
Educational Standards Met

5.FL.WC.4 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when encoding words; write legibly

5.SL.CC.1 Prepare for collaborative discussions on 5th grade level topics and texts; engage effectively with
varied partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own ideas clearly.

Reference:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_84.htm

W 541 07/18 18-0116 Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource
development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating.
UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 4

 TEAM GOAL

Strengths
Limitations

Action Plan

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 5

Tennessee 4-H Youth Development

Teamwork
Brainstorming

Definition of teamwork

Guidelines for working on teams

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 6

 The Team and Me
Directions: Think about your behavior in a recent group or team situation. Read through the list and put a check in the
appropriate column after each behavior. Then decide how you would most like to improve. Set a goal in that area and go for it!

Need To Need To
OK
Do More Do Less
Communication Skills
Talking in the group
Listening actively
Inviting others to speak
Staying on the topic

Leadership Skills
Giving directions and information
Inspiring and encouraging others
Pitching in and helping others

Problem Solving Skills

Stating problems and goals
Asking for ideas and opinions
Giving ideas
Evaluating ideas

Team Building Skills

Showing interest
Expressing appreciation
Helping achieve agreement
Reducing tension

Expressing Feelings
Telling others what I feel
Disagreeing openly
Being sarcastic
Expressing humor

Getting Along With Others

Competing to out do others
Dominating the group
Criticizing others
Helping others
Being patient

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 7