# Lesson 214: Cooperation in groups

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🔵 B. Understanding Others

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## Objective

I can work with others in a small group. I can share ideas, take turns, stay on the group job, and use kind words to solve small problems.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: small stickers or stars to mark great teamwork moments

## Mini-lesson — What is cooperation in groups?

Cooperation means working together with other people to reach the same goal. In class, this often happens in small groups.

Group goals

- Finish a poster or model together.
- Read a page and talk about it.
- Sort or count objects as a team.

Cooperation rules

- Use quiet group voices.
- Share ideas one at a time.
- Keep hands and feet safe and calm.

Group jobs

- A speaker who tells the adult the group's idea.
- A materials helper who passes out & collects items.
- A time watcher who reminds the group to stay on task.
- A peace helper who reminds others to use kind words.

Solving small problems kindly

- Use "I" sentences, like "I feel left out when I never get a turn."
- Try ideas like "Let us take turns." or "We can mix both ideas."
- If the group can not fix it, ask an adult for help.

Good cooperation feels fair

- Everyone has a chance to speak.
- Everyone has a small job to do.
- Everyone feels safe and respected.

Adults can model language such as, "What is our group goal?" and "How can we share this job fairly?"

Picture strip: "We can work together."

## Guided Practice — Group talk scripts

You and an adult will practise group talk scripts that make small groups feel fair and calm.

1. On a notebook page, draw three speech bubbles in a column. Number them 1, 2, and 3.
2. In bubble 1, the adult helps you write or trace: "What is our group job?"
3. In bubble 2, write or trace: "My idea is…" and "What is your idea?"
4. In bubble 3, choose a sentence for solving a small problem, such as: "Let us take turns." or "We can mix both ideas." Write or trace it in the bubble.
5. Next to each speech bubble, draw three stick figures showing a group working together.
6. Practise reading the three bubbles aloud with the adult. Take turns pretending to be different group members. Use calm voices and polite words.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Teamwork job chart

Use this practice to help your child picture fair group jobs and talk about what cooperation looks like.

1. On a new page, draw a simple table with four boxes in a row. Write or trace in each box: "Speaker", "Materials helper", "Time watcher", and "Peace helper".
2. Under each job name, draw a small picture to match it. For example, a speech bubble for the speaker or a clock for the time watcher.
3. Talk with the child: "What does this job do in a group?" and "How can this job help everyone feel included?"
4. If there are three or four people at home, pretend to be a group. Let each person choose a job from the chart for a simple task, like building with blocks or drawing one big picture.
5. After the task, ask: "What went well in our group?" and "What could we do better next time?"
6. Add a star or smiley face next to a job when the child uses it kindly and calmly in real life.

## Quick Check — Cooperation in groups

Answer each question about teamwork, group jobs, and kind ways to work with others.

1) What does cooperation mean?

Doing everything alone and never listening. Working together with others toward the same goal. Making sure only your ideas are used.
Cooperation is working together as a team.

2) Which voice is best for group work?

A quiet group voice that others can hear. Shouting so you are the loudest. Whispering so no one hears anything.
Quiet group voices help everyone hear and think.

3) Why is it important to take turns with materials?

So one person can keep everything. So the group has to wait a long time. So everyone can join in and feel included.
Sharing materials fairly helps the whole group.

4) Which sentence is a cooperation script?

"My way or no way." "What is our group job?" "I do not care about this group."
Asking about the group job keeps everyone focused.

5) Your group has two different ideas. What could you say to help?

"We can mix both ideas or take turns." "Only my idea counts." "I am leaving. You decide."
Combining or taking turns makes the group feel fair.

6) Which job might a materials helper do?

Tell the adult all of the group's ideas. Keep all the crayons and not share. Pass out and collect scissors, paper, and glue.
Materials helpers share and collect group supplies.

7) Your group keeps talking about toys instead of the poster. What is a helpful choice?

Join in and talk about toys only. Say, "Let us get back to our group job." Walk away without telling anyone.
Bringing attention back to the job helps the whole group.

8) Which body choice shows good cooperation?

Sharing space at the table with calm hands. Pushing others away from the materials. Grabbing papers out of people's hands.
Calm, sharing bodies make group work feel safe.

9) When should a group ask an adult for help?

When everyone is cooperating and happy. When the group wants to talk louder. When there is shouting, unkind words, or unsafe behaviour.
Adults can help with big or unsafe group problems.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make sure we always get our own way. To learn kind, fair ways to cooperate in groups. To avoid group work forever.
The goal is to cooperate kindly and fairly with others.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can explain in simple words what cooperation means. Student can name at least one group job (speaker, materials helper, time watcher, or peace helper). Student uses mostly quiet group voice and calm body during small-group time. Student can suggest at least one fair solution when ideas are different (for example, taking turns or mixing ideas). Student knows they can ask an adult for help when group problems feel too big or unsafe.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can cooperate and work in a group kindly and fairly. 🙂 I know some teamwork ideas, but I want more practice. 😅 Cooperation in groups still feels a bit tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Sharing ideas one at a time Taking turns with materials Asking for help when our group has a big problem
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