Marshmallow Tower

Pat Hall Heather Hernandez

Professional School Counselor MSUM Intern 2002-2003

Roosevelt Elementary School Roosevelt Elementary School

Mankato, MN Mankato, MN

Description of the Lesson:

This lesson is for elementary students (grades 1-6), and it is intended to teach about teamwork. The lesson was developed by Pat Hall, school counselor at Roosevelt Elementary School. Depending on how often the counselor is able to be in the classroom, this lesson could be one of many discussing teamwork and conflict resolution.

The materials needed for this lesson are: larger-sized Dixie cups (at least 8 cups per classroom); mini marshmallows (enough to fill four of the cups one time per classroom); toothpicks (approximately 40 in each of the remaining 4 cups). It is recommended that the counselor prepare these cups before going in to the classroom. It would also be helpful to have a shoebox to carry the filled cups from the counseling office to the classrooms.

• Briefly discuss the concept of teamwork with the class; ask students to name words or phrases that they think of when they hear the word “teamwork.”
• Ask the students to identify characteristics of a good team member. Write them on the board. Also have them identify characteristics of someone who would not make a good team member.
• Explain that today they will be doing a teamwork activity, and stress that each of them should strive to have the characteristics of a good team member as previously discussed.
• Teams will have (5-6?) members, and they will have to talk to make a plan for accomplishing the task.
• Explain activity:

-Each team will make a tower using the toothpicks and marshmallows

-The towers need to stand by themselves

-Once you use all the marshmallows and toothpicks, that’s it – you don’t get more!

-We do not eat the marshmallows! Ask class: Will it help your team or hurt your team if you eat your building materials?

-Teams don’t need to use every marshmallow or toothpick, only what they need

-Sit in a circle with team to plan before touching the materials

• Give several minutes for teams to work, call time, discuss what was effective / ineffective about their teams. What characteristics of good team members did they see on their team? What worked and what didn’t? How did your team come up with a plan? How did you decide what to do? Are there any of the characteristics of a good team that your group may need to work on?

Connections to Related Standards, Competencies, and Domains

Marshmallow Tower relates directly to the National Standards for School Counseling Programs, as well as the Minnesota School Counselors’ Model of Developmental Guidance and Counseling domains I (Academic Development) and III (Personal/Social Development). For domain I, the activity relates to the standard “students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.” Being able to work with others is an attitude and a skill that students will need in order to be successful in school, and all other aspects of life. This activity requires students to communicate and compromise with other individuals in order to create a plan for building the tower. For domain III, the activity relates to the standards, “students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others,” and “students will make decisions, set goals, and take appropriate action to achieve goals.” Teamwork is all about interpersonal skills and learning to respect others. Also, the activity requires the groups to create a plan for accomplishing the task, then put their plan into action.

Marshmallow Tower also relates to Minnesota Graduation Standard Learning Area 8 with regards to decision-making. It could also fit with the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee Standards under competency V: “Understanding the need for positive attitudes toward work and learning.” Students will learn that negative attitudes will not be helpful in working with others and trying to accomplish tasks.