#34: Tim Mueller – (21+) Teambuilding in Middle School Physical Education, Developing Culture and Building Character

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​Email Tim: [email protected]

Video: Team Building Lessons for Life The video gives us a glimpse at what a team building unit looks like with Tim's students in action. During the episode Tim talked about dividing students into small groups. They work through challenges together over an extended period of time so they get to know each other on a deeper level. 

Some Notes from the Conversation with Tim

• Teambuilding activities help Tim develop a positive culture in his classrooms and beyond.
• Teambuilding is a tool to introduce and practice character traits like integrity, resilience, kindness, and compassion. (In the episode, Chris called this building 'Character Literacy'.)

Tim shared 5 Keys to Classroom Management

1. Build Relationships: "Show the students you care."
2. Provide Clear Expectations with Consequences: "Students need to know what's expected of them, and be provided with praise for doing the right thing."
3. Teach and Practice Expectations and Habits: Without practice students forget.
4. Model and Empower Character: Students will treat each other the way you treat them.
5. Create Engaging Lessons: Make it fun with a variety of things to do. ​

Activity: Circle the Circle using different sized hula-hoops distributed to different teams that race each other. Tim's lesson is to encourage his students not to give up just because they 'think' they are at a disadvantage. "Don't be a victim" he tells them. 

Tim has more activity videos at his Gopher PE Blog

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