Show Me How to Lead a Team

My teacher helped me learn to be a leader and be part of a team. -Elgin

It is hard for students to work in groups. It is hard for adults to work in groups because inevitably someone in the group is not pulling their weight, and it falls on the competent person in the group. That student is upset because they would have done just a good job on their own, but now they suffer with a group grade while trying to trust others.  

As frustrating as that is, is that not the reason why we do it? It feels a little like Survivor or some other elimination game show, but ultimately we want that student to lead their team and learn how to deal with those situations. We want the other students to eventually learn that they cannot always be the dead weight in a group. 

Right now the worst thing that happens is there is a bad grade or someone is upset with you. Later in life it could be the loss of a job or, worse, getting kicked off of a game show.  😜 

Will it be likely that a slacker will become a leader? Will it be likely that a star will learn to share the spotlight? It might be in your class because you are the one that does this often, making sure each person takes responsibility for a role and those responsibilities rotate. 

You are likely the one to have the students reflect on their group experience individually and as a class to make sure that there is progress towards this goal.  

Why bother?

You know these kids need the help and guidance so they can become leaders as well. It should not be enough that 1 in 4 students can lead.  

In your class, they can all build upon those characteristics and just maybe become the best version of themselves.