Read

Working Together With Materials

This lesson shows students how to share tools and materials with classmates and how to work together on simple tasks. Students see examples of splitting jobs, taking turns with tools, and using kind words so a team task gets done and everyone has fun.

Introduction

You will learn how to share tools and materials with your classmates. You will also learn how to work together on simple tasks, like making a poster or building a tower. Sharing and working as a team help you finish a job and have fun with friends.

Sharing Tools for a Job

At school, you often have one tool but many friends who need it. Maybe there is one pair of scissors, one glue stick, or one ruler at your table. You can share these tools so everyone gets a turn to use them.

Here is how you can share a tool: Use it for a little while, then hand it to your friend. Ask, "Are you done with the glue?" before you take it. Say "thank you" when a friend gives you a turn with a tool.

Working Together on a Team Task

A team task is a job that two or more people do together. You can split the job into small parts. One friend can hold the paper while another friend cuts it. One friend can pick the blocks while another friend stacks them.

Look at this team task. Two jobs work together to finish one poster.

Two jobs, done together, make one finished poster.

When you and a friend each do a small job, the big task gets done faster. You can ask, "What is your job?" and "What is my job?" so everyone knows what to do.

Taking Turns and Using Kind Words

Sometimes you have to wait for a turn with a tool or material. Waiting is part of working together. You can count to ten, watch your friend work, or find another job to do while you wait.

Kind words help a team task go well. Say "please" when you ask for a tool. Say "thank you" when a friend shares with you. Say "good job" when your teammate finishes a part of the task.

Key Terms & Definitions

Share: Let a friend use a tool or material, or use it together with a friend.

Team task: A job that two or more people work on together.

Tool: A thing you use to do a job, like scissors, glue, or a ruler.

Take turns: Use a tool one person at a time, so everyone gets a turn.

Kind words: Nice things you say, like please and thank you, that help a team work well.

Job: A small part of a bigger task that one person does.

Fun Activities You Can Do

Try a team task with a friend. Build a block tower together, with one friend picking blocks and one friend stacking them. Make a paper chain, with one friend cutting strips and one friend gluing the loops. Clean up a table together, with one friend picking up crayons and one friend putting away books.

Remember to share your tools, take turns, and use kind words while you work.

Related lessons

Sustain Interact With Materials And Peers