Teach children to work together to build unity in the classroom.
Unity in school can encourage a positive learning environment and create a place for children that is free from isolation and discrimination. Teachers can utilize a variety of games and activities to build unity through teamwork and team spirit and encourage the class to work together to win games, think critically and cheer for each other.
Hula-Hoop Relay
Teachers can encourage unity with a Hula-Hoop relay, through which the class must form a circle by joining hands and work together to move a hula-hoop around the circle. Start the hula-hoop off between two class members linked hands and have them move the hula-hoop around the circle without breaking any connections. Let the children figure out on their own that they will need to move the Hula-Hoop around the circle by stepping through the hoop with one leg and then the other, and then passing the hoop over their head so that the entire hoop now rests on their other arm and the next person can begin the same process.
Elbow-to-Elbow
Students stand in a circle in the elbow-to-elbow game and must pass a ball around the entire circle using only their elbows. Each time the ball is dropped, the team must start over again. To put the pressure on, set a timer for the class to try to beat and to make the game more difficult, add additional balls in the circle.
Outdoor Team Tag
Outdoor team tag also encourages children to work together in unity. Begin with one child being "it" and the remainder of the class holding hands in a long line. The group of children must try to avoid being tagged while never breaking the chain. As children are tagged, they join the "it" team, who must also stay joined in a chain. Only the children with hands free at the ends of the chain on the "it" team can tag the remaining players, so the group must work together to pursue the next person. The game can end when all children have been tagged. Teachers can make the game longer by making the last person to be tagged, "it", for the next round.
Human Tic-Tac-Toe
Teachers can combine learning and teamwork with a game of human tic-tac-toe. Begin by organizing the class into two groups; one group represents the "X" and the other group represents the "O". It does not matter if the class cannot be divided evenly. Arrange nine cushions, chairs or large pieces of construction paper on the floor in three rows of three. Have each group work together to answer trivia questions to win a space on the tic-tac-toe board. The trivia questions can be general questions or queries related to recent learning units in class. When a team answers a question correctly, have the team decide on a space they would like on the board and choose one person to take the spot. The game continues until one team occupies three spaces in a row either horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
Theme Day
Teachers can encourage class unity through a theme day. Begin by having the class work together to plan their theme and then design props and decorations throughout the week. Ideas for themes include Hollywood and Medieval times for older children and the animal kingdom or the beach for younger children. Decorate in black and gold for a Hollywood theme and organize the children into groups to design movie posters. Have each child make a section of a walk of fame from large pieces of construction paper or Bristol board and then have them use finger paint to mark their hand prints on their section. On theme day, have each child from the class come to school dressed in style or bring in costume props to share, such as long feather boas, top hats and costume jewelry. Or, teachers can see what is inexpensively available at second-hand or thrift stores. For an animal theme, have children decorate a mask to become the animal of their choice. Then the class can work together to build tall trees, rivers and mountains from construction paper to tape on the wall for theme day. For each theme day, have a small class celebration and play games that further encourage unity and teamwork.
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