TEACHER OF THE YEAR Activities
Tried-and-true favorites your students will love.
Middle School PE (Grades 6-8)
Health Education (Grades 9-12)
Back to School 2026: Build Belonging With Students
Middle School PE
Team-Building Adventures
Activity Length: 3 class periods (45-50 minutes each)
Before beginning, teachers should offer accommodations specifically mentioned in a student’s IEP to support their ability to participate in the activity.
National Standards
Standard 3: Develops social skills through movement
382 Demonstrates consideration for others and contributes positively to the group or team
383 Uses communication skills to negotiate strategies and tactics in a physical activity setting.
388 Solves problems amongst teammates and opponents
Activity Progression
Grade Level: 6-8
Objectives: By the end of the activity, students will be able to
Collaborate with peers and develop a plan to complete a variety of team-building activities
Assess potential challenges and adapt strategies to promote safety and achieve success during cooperative team-building challenges
Materials Needed
Two dice per group
Hula hoops
Tubes Marbles Tarp String Scarves Platform (aerobic step) Stacking cups
This lesson plan can be completed over the course of three class periods of 45-50 minutes each Teachers can extend or shorten the time based on class meeting frequency
Icebreakers
Start each class with an icebreaker Below are icebreakers you can choose from or use one of your own
Ships and Sharks
Students work in teams of 3–4 with one hula hoop per team Teams begin standing inside their hoop at the starting line
When the teacher calls “Ships,” teams move together across the activity area while carrying their hoop
When “Sharks” is called, all team members must quickly get back inside their hoop before the teacher’s count ends
Teams continue traveling to the finish line and back to the start
For an added challenge, the teacher may call “Switch,” requiring teams to move to a different hoop before continuing.
The goal is to work cooperatively, communicate effectively, and return to the starting line as quickly as possible.
Double Dice
Students work in groups of 3–4 with two dice.
Students in each group take turns rolling the dice. When a student rolls a double, they begin performing jumping jacks (or another movement) while counting their repetitions.
The student continues the exercise until another student rolls a double, at which point the current student stops and the next student begins exercising
Each student keeps a running total and resumes from that number the next time they roll doubles
The first student in a group to reach 100 jumping jacks wins Once a winner is declared, groups may continue play using a different exercise selected by the teacher
Sharedby:
TeriLund,2023
SHAPEAmericaCentralDistrictMiddleSchoolPhysicalEducationTeacheroftheYear
Team-Building Adventures
Activity Length: 3 class periods
Team-Building Activities
Getting Into Teams
Grade Level: 6-8
Divide students into groups of 5–8 participants. Each team will find a space in the gym and sit in a circle with their feet toward the center, creating a “family pod.” Teams will have one minute to create:
A team name
A team celebration
A movement that represents their group
Example:
Team Name: Rocket Launchers
Movement: Squat jump with a 360-degree turn
Whenever a team is called upon, begins a task, or completes a challenge, they should perform their team celebration
Setting the Stage
The teacher will provide limited guidance on how to solve each challenge Teams are encouraged to communicate, collaborate, and problem-solve together. Before beginning, review the following expectations: Follow the station rotation procedures. Work cooperatively and include all teammates. Communicate respectfully and positively. Prioritize the safety of yourself and others. Encourage every team member to participate.
Station Challenges
A sign will be posted at each station explaining the challenge that must be completed Teams are responsible for:
1 Reading the station directions
2 Discussing a plan as a group
3 Working together to complete the task
Teams will have three class periods to complete all nine stations.
The purpose of these activities is to develop:
Teamwork
Communication
Problem-solving skills
Leadership
Trust and cooperation
On the next page are the station names and a link to the description and detailed instructional signs for each station.
Sharedby:TeriLund,2023
Middle School PE
Team-Building Adventures
Activity Length: 3 class periods
Grade Level: 6-8
Stations
Condor Egg Transfer
Row Your Boat
Magic 15
5 Stars
Down the Drain Electric Fence
Amoeba Crossing
Team Maze
Tower of Power
Team Building Descriptions and Instructional Signs
Modifications/Differentiations
Full inclusion means every student has the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to the team’s success Team members should work together to ensure everyone is involved, valued, and able to participate at their individual ability level
Teachers may occasionally need to step in to model or reinforce positive teamwork behaviors and remind students what it means to be a supportive teammate
Any station may be modified to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities or special learning requirements
Teachers may adjust the number of stations completed based on available class time, student needs, and the pace of the group
Check for Understanding/Assessment Strategies
The teacher should walk around to each station and prompt students based on observation to guide students toward the objective Example prompts:
I notice your team might be struggling a bit How can you adjust your strategy to be successful? I see you just arrived to this new station What challenges do you potentially see?
Tell me how your team is going to approach this station
At the end of class, ask students to reflect on the stations they completed. What are some ways your team collaborated with one another?
Describe how your team came up with a plan for each station. How did you make sure everyone on your team was included or involved in the plan?
Talk with your team: Name one thing you all did well and one thing you can improve on for next class.
On the last day of the team-building activities, ask students why we are spending time doing teambuilding activities.
Responses can include: to create a positive class environment, work with different students, help us get to know each other, practice communication and problem-solving skills, and practice overcoming challenges
Mosaic Tiles
Activity Length: 15 minutes
Before beginning, teachers should offer accommodations specifically mentioned in a student’s IEP to support their ability to participate in the activity.
National Standards
Standard 4: Use interpersonal communication skills to support health and well-being of self and others.
4121 Apply effective communication skills across multiple modes of communication and media formats to support health and well-being of self and others
Activity Progression
Grade Level: 9-12
Objectives: By the end of the activity, students will be able to
Create a personalized mosaic piece that represents themselves.
Connect how getting to know their peers establishes promotes effective communication skills
Reflect upon their experience of creating relationships and communicating with others Materials Needed
Colored Card Stock: Cut one standard sheet into 4 squares/pieces, each student will need 1 square
Stickers
Markers
Tape Scissors
Wall/Bulletin Board
Ask students if they know what a mosaic is After a few responses, explain to students that a mosaic is a type of art where an image, design, or pattern is made up of smaller pieces or tiles like stone or glass
Explain to students that today they will be making a class mosaic and each student will create a tile that will represent themselves.
Students will pick a cardstock square of their choice.
Instructions will be given by the teacher for students to:
Write their preferred name, pronouns (optional).
Draw a symbol/picture or use a sticker that best represents them.
Write 1-2 positive adjectives that describes themselves.
Cut the square into any shape of their choice.
When squares are complete, instruct students that they will be moving around the classroom and sharing their information. Remind students that they only need to share information that they are comfortable sharing:
Safely move around the room while music is playing
When the music stops find someone closest to you and share your information from your card
Repeat until students have met and communicated with several other students in the class
To complete the activity, students will create a mosaic in a designated area of the classroom (bulletin board/wall) with their pieces
After the activity, lead a discussion comparing a mosaic to the class Answers should connect how each student is like a tile in a mosaic, each unique but together they make something beautiful or make up the whole class No mosaic is exactly the same and each piece is important to the completion of the mosaic
Reflection Question: Why are we using a mosaic to represent our class?
Additionally, explain to students that getting to know one another and creating a space where there is respect for individuality helps create a space where we can talk about important health topics and feel safe practicing health skills.
Sharedby:MelissaQuigley,2023SHAPEAmericaNationalHealthEducationTeacheroftheYear
Mosaic Tiles
(continued)
Activity Length: 15 minutes
Modifications/Differentiations
Grade Level: 9-12
Provide prompts or a list of information students can choose to include. Teachers can determine how students find a partner for each round: Color of clothing, same birthday month, high five or fist bump partner.
Check for Understanding/Assessment Strategies
Ask students:
What is one thing you learned about someone else that you didn’t already know? Why are activities like this important to do throughout the school year? How does building positive relationships, like getting to know your classmates, promote effective communication?