Templeton Middle School (TMS) seventh grade students build connections and a sense of community through team-building activities. The afternoon of outdoor activities has become a celebrated tradition at TMS that helps students strengthen communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
Templeton staff members and dozens of parent volunteers helped to facilitate the teamwork activities held September 8-11. Students work in teams to navigate challenges that require communication and collaboration to successfully complete.
“This activity is important at the start of the year to first help students see how much we need and can depend on each other to be successful,” explains Templeton Middle School Seventh Grade Math Teacher Trenette Fowler. “It’s done in a fun way that we can later translate into our classroom community,” she adds.
“Many students enter seventh grade without knowing one another or not feeling fully confident about meeting new people,” shares Templeton Middle School Seventh Grade Science Teacher Daniel Rathmann. “Our Field Day provides a welcoming opportunity for students to build connections, learn each other’s names, collaborate as a team and have fun together!”
“They are challenged at each station to work as a group,” shares parent volunteer Heather Rechlin. “Everyone has to participate in each activity. It was really fun to watch different leaders step up and different ideas come to light. I think the kids had a lot of fun. Everyone got involved, even the quieter kids are speaking up and participating,” Rechlin explains.
Fowler says the annual activity is also a powerful way to give students the opportunity to have fun without any pressure. “Starting a new school can be stressful for many students and with these activities students get to have fun, meet new peers and learn life skills that go far beyond our school walls.” She says it is equally as important for teachers to spend time with students outside of the traditional classroom. “It is a joy to watch students have fun at this age. So often kids think they have to be cool,” Fowler explains. “But when they are having fun, we can see they are all really good kids who want to be connected, supported and to feel that they belong to our community of learners.”