Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
– Benjamin Franklin
Just like our students, active learning occurs deeply if they are involved rather than just telling theories. Similarly, when teachers are involved, they learn more, thus building teamwork occurs instead of competing against each other. That's how I describe the Team Building that we had last December.
Hello, my dear friends in this beautiful Hive community! How are you today? Hopefully, everyone is well and doing great. Today, I will share with you my first and most unforgettable team-building experience in 2022.
It was last December 2022 when Kal-anan National High School had our Christmas Party and first-ever Teachers Team Building with a "Twist" at Island View Beach in Bakhawan, Daanbantayan, Cebu. I emphasized it with a twist because just like in the old days, when we had our Christmas Party, we were allowed to bring our loved ones, but not this time.
Our principal, Mr. Edsel M. Ursal, suggests having a Team Building to strengthen friendships and camaraderie among everyone. He wanted to have it outside of our comfort zone. This means we will have it on a beach, to enjoy and to build strong bonds among everyone. He expressed that at our party, no husband/wife, no boyfriend/girlfriend, and even children or parents, which everyone agreed about it.
📍TO THE BEACH WE GO
Here comes the day, and everyone is so excited to go to the beach and relax for a while. Then, we rented the place for an overnight stay.
To make it more fun and exciting, games and prizes await us at the party. We are grouped into six - Grade 7 Group, Grade 8 Group, Grade 9 Group, Grade 10 Group, Grade 11 Group, and Grade 12 Group. The groups were assigned to prepare the games and prizes. Each group will collaborate, then decide on a certain game that will involve everyone.
📍ARRIVAL AT THE BEACH
The place for the party almost took us 1 hour and 30 minutes to travel to. So the teachers were exhausted and tired of the travel period. Yet, because of the fascinating view and relaxing place, the face of the teachers was enlivened.
There were cottages at the venue where we placed our bags and other kitchen utensils. We had a tiring day because we had our students' party before we departed from school.
We arrive at the venue at probably 4:40 in the afternoon. It was quite dark already. So we need to get ready for our dinner and had to rush to the nearby market to buy the needed ingredients for our meals.
While waiting, some of my colleagues had taken some rest at the cottages and some are taking their first photo op for the astonishing venue.
The first challenge during our team building is whoever will prepare our meals. And to maximize the group on the different duties to attend to while having the team building, the principal grouped us into three to prepare the necessary meals for the entire stay - dinner, breakfast, and lunch.
The teachers are busy preparing for dinner. Every group member shares their part. Some wash dishes and other utensils. Some are frying up shrimp and other foods to be fried. Some are assigned to grill some fish.
Seeing the looks in their eyes, I can see that they were so happy and excited. Sharing some evening thoughts with colleagues is fun. Despite the tiring day yet, all of us don't mind it.
📍TEAM BUILDING PROPER
After we had our dinner, we exchange talks and thoughts for a while, and then we had our fun-filled games where cooperation and teamwork prevails.
SUCK IT UP
The first game was facilitated by the bubbly advisers of Grade 7. There were four groups created. The mechanics will be like this. Each group must transfer 10 piles of nips from one plate to another using the straw. To add excitement and thrill, the facilitators added some flour to the plate for the nips to be hard to find. Whichever group could transfer 10 piles of nips to the other plate wins and gets the prizes.
You know what, during the game, it was not easy. Teachers were like catching or losing their breath since the distance from one plate to another is about 2 meters away. If you breathe in, nips will fall so you need to hold your breath until you can transfer it.
PASS THE ACTION
The next game was facilitated by the dynamic advisers of Grade 8. There were four groups. Each group will have one person to start the games while your groupmates stand at the back. The first person will show the next in line how to perform the same action she/he did. Whichever group passes the correct actions and shows them correctly to the facilitator, will win and get the prizes.
This game has the longest consumed time because the first person on the line gives action and the next person copied it but with another version.
Reflecting upon the game, if there is no teamwork and collaboration, the team will not be successful.
CATERPILLAR GAME
The third game was facilitated by the energetic advisers of Grade 9. There were four groups in this game. The mechanics are to get all your teammates one by one until everybody is done. Teammates should hold hands together in order not to cut the caterpillar. Whoever group could finish earlier following the mechanics given, wins and get prizes.
It was quite a tedious game. It feels like you'll lose your breathing as you run fast while having your teammates with you since you will carry the whole team. Yet, it was fun doing the activity. Everyone enjoyed playing it.
WE ARE CONNECTED - PUZZLE GAME
The fourth game was facilitated by the vigorous advisers of Grade 10. It was quite a different one. It was a two-set puzzle. First, we were given cut-outs. Then we should find the missing pieces to form the name of the team. After forming the team, the second set of puzzles was given. The team was given a cut-out puzzle that we will arrange accordingly. Whoever arranged the puzzle first will shout the name of the group and gets the prizes.
Finding your teammates is not easy, you thought you are one team already but you weren't. One must look carefully into the details to avoid missing with your teammates.
FILL ME UP
The fifth game was facilitated by the gorgeous advisers of Grade 11. The mechanics are to fill up the bottle with sand. Whichever group fills up the bottle with sand first will be declared a winner.
This is the easiest game of all.
BALLON CATERPILLAR
The sixth game was facilitated by the spirited advisers of Grade 12. It was another modified caterpillar game with the use of balloons. There were four groups. Each member of the group gets a balloon in between them. The first team to get to the finish line without dropping any balloons wins.
Teachers also find this game tiring since it needs teamwork in the foot pacing as to where the person before you is going. You all must be very cooperative to win the game.
The game lasted around 1:30 am. all were tired but the waves of laughter and the experiences can't be bought after tiresome work. Everyone enjoys the night. That was our first-ever Team Building which is unforgettable.
On the second day, everyone takes a dip for a while at the beach. Some of the teachers were assigned to prepare breakfast. While preparing, everyone seems so happy talking about what had happened last night.
Then after having our lunch we went home bringing smiles to our faces.
Indeed, the first-ever Team Building of Kal-anan National High School leaves a happy trace on the faces of the teachers.
As Cesare Pavese once said, “We do not remember days, we remember moments." For sure, days will pass but the memories it created will last forever.
That's all for today Hivers! Thank you so much for supporting and reading my blog. Stay safe everyone. God bless.
See you on my next blog!