The 4 C's - |
Job ready skills that students need to be successful in their careers
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Collaboration - working together to achieve a goal
Creativity - Trying new approaches to solve a problem (Innovation and inventions!)
Communication - Sharing ideas, thoughts, questions, ideas, or solutions
Critical Thinking - Looking at problems and information in a new way
NEA guide to the 4 C's
Creativity - Trying new approaches to solve a problem (Innovation and inventions!)
Communication - Sharing ideas, thoughts, questions, ideas, or solutions
Critical Thinking - Looking at problems and information in a new way
NEA guide to the 4 C's
4 C's Skill Practice
1. Draw a Picture - (School Leaders Now)
This game is primarily a teamwork game but will require a certain level of trust as well. You will need pens and paper as well as some simple drawings—think minimal detail. All teams can use the same image if you prefer.
The way it works:
Divide the group into teams of three. Have each team decide who will draw, who will view the original, and who will speak. Once these decisions have been made, give the viewer one of the simple drawings you prepared. The goal is for the person drawing to replicate the illustration without ever viewing the original. The viewer may not speak but must find a way to communicate to the speaker what the original illustration looks like. The speaker will translate that message for the person drawing. At the end, have the entire group vote for which drawing is closest to the original.
2. Deserted Island (School Leaders Now)
This is a strategy game that requires a lot of teamwork. Use it when you are looking for ways to improve communication and teamwork skills. You will need pens and paper.
The way it works:
Ask each person to decide what one item they would bring with them if they were stranded on a deserted island. They should not tell anyone which item they chose. Once everyone has decided, divide the group into teams of three or four. The teams should then work together to figure out how to survive and escape the island with only the items they decided to bring. Next, have each group share out with the whole group. You can give prizes for the most creative, the most likely to work, etc., or just debrief at the end.
While staff might sometimes roll their eyes at having to do team-building activities, more often than not they will be laughing and having fun by the end. With stronger relationships and a team that trusts each other more, your new school year will be off to a great start.
3. Stack the Cups - (Resource 1) (Resource 2)
The teacher will need 6+ solo cups stacked per group of 4. Each group will also need a rubber band with 4 evenly spaced strings tied to it. Students will work in teams (one student per string) to stack the cups in a pyramid. Students are not allowed to use their hands. Students must use communication, collaboration, and critical thinking to complete this mission. Groups can start by using partners first, 2 strings per person, before moving on to one per person.
4. Team Lego building (Resource)
The teacher will need to matching Lego kits for each partner group (about 15 or so). Partner 1 will be given a set time (minute?) to build anything they want, while partner two is blind to what they are building. After the first partner builds their object, explain that the 2nd partner must build the same exact thing, but without seeing their partners build. The first partner must use effective Communication, Critical Thinking
5. Human Robot - (Resource)
The students will work together in partners/groups to "program" a human robot to do exactly as a person directs them. Students are to complete a task such as walking across the room and picking up an object. The robot doesn't understand basic terms like that though. Walk how far. Pick up with what hand and how? How do you pick up? It forces students to use their vocabulary skills and math. An alternative, is to build an obstacle course where one student directs the blindfolded human robot through it, while a couple others make sure the student does not trip or get injured.
This game is primarily a teamwork game but will require a certain level of trust as well. You will need pens and paper as well as some simple drawings—think minimal detail. All teams can use the same image if you prefer.
The way it works:
Divide the group into teams of three. Have each team decide who will draw, who will view the original, and who will speak. Once these decisions have been made, give the viewer one of the simple drawings you prepared. The goal is for the person drawing to replicate the illustration without ever viewing the original. The viewer may not speak but must find a way to communicate to the speaker what the original illustration looks like. The speaker will translate that message for the person drawing. At the end, have the entire group vote for which drawing is closest to the original.
2. Deserted Island (School Leaders Now)
This is a strategy game that requires a lot of teamwork. Use it when you are looking for ways to improve communication and teamwork skills. You will need pens and paper.
The way it works:
Ask each person to decide what one item they would bring with them if they were stranded on a deserted island. They should not tell anyone which item they chose. Once everyone has decided, divide the group into teams of three or four. The teams should then work together to figure out how to survive and escape the island with only the items they decided to bring. Next, have each group share out with the whole group. You can give prizes for the most creative, the most likely to work, etc., or just debrief at the end.
While staff might sometimes roll their eyes at having to do team-building activities, more often than not they will be laughing and having fun by the end. With stronger relationships and a team that trusts each other more, your new school year will be off to a great start.
3. Stack the Cups - (Resource 1) (Resource 2)
The teacher will need 6+ solo cups stacked per group of 4. Each group will also need a rubber band with 4 evenly spaced strings tied to it. Students will work in teams (one student per string) to stack the cups in a pyramid. Students are not allowed to use their hands. Students must use communication, collaboration, and critical thinking to complete this mission. Groups can start by using partners first, 2 strings per person, before moving on to one per person.
4. Team Lego building (Resource)
The teacher will need to matching Lego kits for each partner group (about 15 or so). Partner 1 will be given a set time (minute?) to build anything they want, while partner two is blind to what they are building. After the first partner builds their object, explain that the 2nd partner must build the same exact thing, but without seeing their partners build. The first partner must use effective Communication, Critical Thinking
5. Human Robot - (Resource)
The students will work together in partners/groups to "program" a human robot to do exactly as a person directs them. Students are to complete a task such as walking across the room and picking up an object. The robot doesn't understand basic terms like that though. Walk how far. Pick up with what hand and how? How do you pick up? It forces students to use their vocabulary skills and math. An alternative, is to build an obstacle course where one student directs the blindfolded human robot through it, while a couple others make sure the student does not trip or get injured.
4 C's Resources
page updated: 7/14/19