Co-operation game: Characteristics cube

Purposes

• to encourage students to get to know each other better

• to promote self-confidence and team cohesion

• to emphasise that although everyone is different we often have shared interests, strengths, and needs

• to develop students' mathematics skills of creating a 3D object

Background information

Children often do not have an opportunity to get to know each other's strengths, needs and interests. They can be reluctant to share these in case they are ridiculed. Children need to know that who they are, and what they are interested in, is viewed by others as important.

While this activity is based on groups of six, if children have not done a lot of group work together begin by using pairs or groups of three. Working in pairs before moving into larger groups can be less overwhelming for the quiet or less confident students. Dominant children can be given the task as a silent observer and the quieter children encouraged to be the speaker for the pair or group.

This activity begins with a whole-class discussion, but if children are reluctant to speak up in the large group, conduct smaller share groups. After someone speaks, encourage others to compliment him or her on what they did well. Also, establish routines for monitoring who speaks to ensure that everybody gets a go. Children can participate in this process. By asking children to monitor your interactions with them, you are showing that you think the issue of everyone having a fair say is important to you.

Teacher considerations

Do you enjoy working in groups? Which groups? Under what conditions? What co-operative team skills do you have? how have you encouraged new staff members to participate in team work? Do the children have the opportunity to see how teachers also work as members of a team?

What you will need

• one square piece of cardboard for each person (20 cm x 20 cm)

• drawing materials

• glue, adhesive tape and string

1. Conduct a class discussion about people's strengths, talents and interests. You may wish to start by sharing your own first. Be positive about your own abilities, as you are modelling appropriate behaviour to your students.

2. Give your students time to reflect on their 'characteristics.'

3. First, ask each student to individually decorate a square piece of cardboard with their chosen characteristics.

4. In groups of six, children are to share their squares and create a "characteristics cube." Display these around the room.

• Did you ensure that all children had a say during the initial discussion?

• Were children able to accept what others had to say without sniggering, ridiculing and putting each other down during the class discussion and the group activity?

• Who were the children who actively contributed to making the cube? Who were the quiet children?

• How did the group resolve any differences of opinion?

• Individuals can create their own cubes. Each 'face' can display a different aspect of their interests and talents. Make time for children to share their finished products.

• This activity can be used to form groups; for example, all children who like animals could work together.

• Use the squares (or other shapes) for another mathematics activity such as tessellations or 3D shapes. Each child could be given one part of the whole to reconstruct.