Academics
GRADE 5 TEAM BUILDING CLASS
At Ensworth, we call ourselves Tigers, and that name is not just a mascot or symbol — it represents a mindset. It embodies strength, courage, and, most importantly, the power of working together. Nowhere is this more evident than in our Grade 5 Team Building class.
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A class like no other Team Building is not your typical classroom experience. There are no desks lined up in rows or textbooks to flip through. Instead, our students are up and moving, talking and listening, laughing and learning together. This class is centered around one key idea: we are stronger as a team than as individuals. We focus on developing trust, communication, empathy, and collaboration through purposeful games, reflective discussions, and cooperative challenges.
From the moment our Grade 5 students walk through the door, they are no longer individuals working alone; they become part of a team. Each week, they practice what it means to be a great teammate. Whether solving a group puzzle, navigating an obstacle course blindfolded (while relying only on their peers’ voices for guidance), or completing a classroom mission that requires teamwork, our students learn skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
More Than Just Activities The Team Building class is powerful
We focus on developing trust, communication, empathy, and collaboration through purposeful games, reflective discussions, and cooperative challenges.
because the activities are just a part of the broader culture we are creating. We talk openly about what it means
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to support one another. We reflect on how it feels to be left out or heard, how to handle disagreements respectfully, and why our actions matter. Fifth graders are encouraged to lead, listen, and uplift each other. We celebrate kindness, resilience, and accountability.
“At the beginning of the semester, it was frustrating because people were arguing,” said Abbie Rohe ’32. “After a few weeks, we got better at working together, and if someone made a mistake, instead of yelling, we encouraged them. Throughout our adult lives, we will need to work together as a
Leadership development is not treated as a single lesson, but as a thread woven throughout the student experience. In Grade 5, students engage in a dedicated leadership class that encourages self-awareness, collaboration, and responsibility. Through experiences like these, students begin to see themselves as capable leaders, equipped with the skills and confidence needed to make a meaningful impact both now and in the future.
team, and it's important that we learn how to do that now.”
It’s incredible to witness students realize they can achieve more when they lean on one another. During a recent activity, one group struggled to complete a challenge — until someone quietly said, “We need everyone’s ideas.” That small shift changed everything. The group moved from frustration to collaboration and finished the challenge with pride. Moments like that are what make this class meaningful.
The Ripple Effect The lessons learned in Team Building don’t stay in the classroom. Our Tigers carry these values into the hallways, lunchroom, playground, and beyond. They begin to notice when a classmate is sitting alone and
STRATEGIC VISION CONNECTION
offer help without being asked. They know
Igniting Leadership for Impact
how to resolve conflicts with respect and
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compromise. They speak up with courage and listen with care. This spirit of togetherness is felt throughout the grade and helps shape our school culture.
Team Building also lays the groundwork for
“I think it's important to build up
leadership. We teach our students that being
your honesty and your teamwork.
a leader doesn’t always mean being in charge; it often means bringing others together,
What I’ve learned from Team
seeing the best in them, and elevating the
Building is that if you want to win,
group through their actions and words. Grade 5 students begin to see themselves as part of something bigger. They understand that being a Tiger means belonging, and with that
you have to work together. But if you lose, then you always keep trying.”
belonging comes responsibility — to each other, the school, and themselves.
NOLAN BATES-BLACK ’32
At Ensworth, we strive to build a community where everyone is seen, valued, and empowered. Team Building is a part of that mission. It’s where our students learn that their voices matter, their teammates depend on them, and that true success is measured not by winning but by how we treat the people beside us.
It’s not just what we do; it’s how we do it. It’s how our students cheer for one another, even on different teams. It’s how they solve problems through cooperation instead of competition. And it’s how they consistently show up for each other. ■
WRITTEN BY OREN GOLDRING
Director of Auxiliary Programs and Teacher for Grades 4, 5, and 7
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