1st grade team building games

Check-In
*Prevention Calendar: SEPTEMBER, NOVEMBER
Targets: Respect for Others/Positive Identity, Concern for Others/Support
**Variation to tie with Ethical and Developmental Themes: Using the variations
below, work this activity in as often as you’d like. Focus on which objects, etc.
students use to ‘check in’ and whether those reflect a positive personal identity and
a respect for themselves. When doing a partner interview, be sure to focus on
showing concern for others’ differences and preferences as well as a general support
for people as they share their feelings.
Materials: Vary
Play: Often before a group gets started on their activities, they will have a “check-in”
where they let the other group members know how they are feeling that day. Basically,
everyone gets a chance to tell the group how they are feeling, what specific goals they
might have for the day, any concerns… This can be done in a more creative way than
simply discussion.
Variations: Each group member can describe themselves as being one of a certain set of
objects such as: If you were a type of cereal what type would you be? What magazine
are you? You can have the group pair off and have the partners interview each other,
then report to the group on their partner’s status for the day. Individuals can draw or
write how they are feeling. Members can act out how they are feeling that day. A group
of assorted objects can be placed in the center of the group and individuals can describe
themselves as one of the objects. The list goes on and you can use any combination of
ideas that you want.