Team Dynamics

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 9
Duration: 50 minutes
Unit: Empowered Movement Journey (Lesson 3 of 10)
Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education (NZ Curriculum – Level 4)
Big Ideas: Interpersonal skills, teamwork, and effective communication in physical activities
Whakataukī: He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora – "Positive feelings in your heart will raise your sense of self-worth"

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Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Work collaboratively in a team setting to strategise and execute a game plan.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills during a fast-paced physical activity.
• Reflect on personal contributions to team success and decision-making in a group.

Success Criteria

• Students actively participate and communicate in the game.
• Teams successfully adapt their strategies based on game dynamics.
• Each student shares at least one reflection on their role within their group.

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Resources & Equipment

• 6 Soft Flags or Bands (in two different colours)
• 10 Cones (to indicate zones)
• 3 Large Hoops (for "jail" areas)
• Whistle (to start, pause, and end the game)

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Lesson Structure

1. Whakawhanaungatanga – Warm-up & Connection (10 mins)

Activity: "Pass the Energy"

• Students stand in a large circle. One student starts by making eye contact with someone and passing an imaginary energy ball in a unique way (throw, roll, bounce, push). The receiver copies the movement and sends it to another person, and so on.
• Objective: Promotes connection, active engagement, and non-verbal communication – key elements for teamwork in Capture the Flag.

Debrief Question:

• “What strategies did you use to know where the energy was going next?”

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2. Game Explanation & Rule Adjustments (8 mins)

Modified Capture the Flag Rules:

• 2 teams (12-13 players each).
• Each team has 3 flags placed inside their territory.
• Players must work together to stealthily retrieve the opposing team’s flags while protecting their own.
• If a player is tagged on enemy territory, they must go to "jail" (marked hoop).
• A teammate can free them by tagging them back to their side.
• The game resets when all flags from one team are captured.

NZ-Specific Focus:

• Encouraging whanaungatanga (building relationships) and mahi ngātahi (working together).

Game Enhancement:

• Teams have 30 seconds at the start of each round to strategise.
• After each round, captains will briefly share what worked and what needs adapting.

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3. Game Play (20 mins)

• Round 1: Introduction phase – Teams apply an initial strategy.
• Quick Debrief (1 min): Teams discuss one improvement.
• Round 2: Teams adjust and play with the new strategy.
• Quick Debrief (1 min): Team captains share a key challenge.
• Round 3 (Final Round): Integration of key learnings from previous rounds.

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4. Reflections & Wrap-up (10 mins)

Debrief Questions: (Students share responses in small groups before whole-class discussion)

• What was your role in the team, and how did you contribute?
• How did communication impact the game?
• If we played again, what would you do differently?

Connection to Daily Life:

• “Teamwork isn’t just for sport. Can you think of another time when communication and teamwork helped you succeed?”

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Assessment & Reflection

• Teacher Observation: Engagement, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Student Self-Assessment: Thumbs Up / Sideways / Down on their communication contribution during the game.
• Exit Ticket: One word to describe the most important team skill learned today.

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Adaptations & Extensions

• For students needing extra support: Assign a buddy to help navigate the game roles.
• For highly active students: Introduce a rule where only specific players can be "flag runners," requiring more strategic involvement.
• Cultural Inclusion: Māori Concepts of Leadership & Teamwork – Highlight examples of manaakitanga (kindness, respect) within the game.

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Final Thought for Students:

"A great team isn’t just about having the fastest players, but about having the best communicators."

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Teacher Notes: This lesson is structured to align with New Zealand’s Health and Physical Education Learning Matrix, fostering decision-making, participation, and leadership. By incorporating strategies, communication, and reflection, students develop transferable life skills beyond PE.