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Lesson 3 - Team Communication Through Rock, Paper, Scissors

Strategic Communication and Leadership in Outdoor Adventure

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Year 5

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Outdoor Adventurous Activities

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45 min

Big Question

How can effective communication transform a team's performance and success?

Learning Objectives

Understand and demonstrate the key characteristics of effective team communication
Develop and practice different methods of team communication and decision-making
Apply communication skills in competitive team challenges

Key Outcomes

Students will communicate clearly and listen actively within their teams
Students will demonstrate collaborative decision-making under time pressure
Students will evaluate and improve their team communication strategies

Equipment & Resources Required

Coloured Cones

12-16

Used to mark team zones and playing boundaries

Alternative: Bean bags, spots, or playground chalk lines

Hoops

8-10

Laid in a row across the playing area for Extreme Rock Paper Scissors

Alternative: Agility ladders, chalk circles, or rope rings

Stopwatch

For timing quick decision-making phases

Alternative: Phone timer or classroom clock

Whistles

For clear start and stop signals

Alternative: Hand clap or verbal commands

Key Vocabulary

Communication

Sharing ideas, feelings and information clearly with others

Collaboration

Working together as a team towards a common goal

Strategy

A plan of action designed to achieve a goal

Tactics

Specific actions or methods used to achieve your strategy

Leadership

Guiding and encouraging a team towards success

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic understanding of turn-taking and sharing ideas
Experience working in small groups
Knowledge of simple team games and rules

Current Skills

Effective verbal and non-verbal communication in teams
Collaborative decision-making under time pressure
Strategic thinking and tactical awareness

Next Steps

Advanced leadership roles in outdoor challenges
Complex problem-solving requiring sustained communication
Peer coaching and feedback in team activities

Milestone Indicators

Teams make decisions quickly without arguments

All team members contribute to discussions

Students can explain their team's communication strategy

Key Teaching Points

Effective team communication requires active listening, clear speaking, and inclusive decision-making
Teams perform better when all members contribute ideas and feel valued
Quick decision-making under pressure is a crucial life skill developed through team challenges
Non-verbal communication and coordination are as important as verbal communication
Leadership in teams means facilitating others' contributions, not making all decisions alone
Tactical thinking improves when teams reflect on their strategies and adapt based on experience
Good sportsmanship and support for teammates creates stronger team bonds than focusing only on winning

Common Misconceptions

That the loudest person should lead team discussions - correct by emphasising everyone's voice matters
That teams should choose randomly without strategy - guide toward tactical thinking and discussion
That winning is more important than teamwork - emphasise process and collaboration over outcomes
That team communication should be rushed - teach that quality discussion leads to better results
That only some people are natural team players - show that communication skills can be developed by everyone
That teams work best when one person makes all decisions - demonstrate the power of collaborative decision-making

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Build in movement breaks, provide clear short instructions, offer leadership roles, use timers for activities, celebrate focus and attention

dyspraxia

Simplify movement patterns, allow extra practice time, provide clear demonstrations, offer supportive partnerships, break down complex instructions

autism spectrum

Provide clear routine structure, offer quiet zones for breaks, use visual schedules, prepare for changes in team dynamics, allow fidget tools during discussions

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured equipment, provide audio cues for team positions, assign buddy support for navigation, ensure clear verbal descriptions of all activities

hearing impairment

Use visual signals and hand gestures, provide written instructions, ensure face-to-face communication, assign signing buddy if needed

physical disability

Adapt poses for wheelchair users, allow walking instead of running, modify tagging to include adapted equipment, ensure equal participation opportunities

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Speaking and listening skills, persuasive language in team discussions, vocabulary development around teamwork and communication

Maths

Counting team members and scores, measuring distances between zones, calculating win/loss ratios, understanding probability in Rock Paper Scissors

Science

Forces in movement and stopping, reaction times and reflexes, teamwork in nature and animal behaviour

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning, using directional language, mapping team movements and strategies

PSHE

Collaboration and cooperation, leadership skills, respecting others' ideas, managing emotions in competitive situations

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position during skill introduction, mobile during activities for optimal supervision, return to central for demonstrations

Observation Focus

Team communication quality, inclusion of all members, safety during physical activities, tactical development

Intervention Points

["Step in if one student is dominating team decisions", "Support teams that are struggling with communication", "Ensure safety during all chasing and tagging activities", "Guide reflection to focus on process over outcome"]

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated body language for poses, model effective huddle formation, demonstrate safe tagging technique, show inclusive team discussion

Verbal Cues

•'Huddle up for team talk!'
•'Remember - everyone's voice matters!'
•'Show me your team coordination!'
•'Gentle touches only during tagging!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m outdoor space or large hall, clear of obstacles and hazards

Surface Check

Even, dry surface suitable for running activities, free from holes or slippery areas

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Hoops laid flat and secure to prevent tripping
•Cone markers positioned away from main activity areas
•All equipment checked for damage before use

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during chasing activities
•Tripping over hoops or equipment
•Overexcitement leading to unsafe contact
•Uncontrolled running in confined spaces

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries and safety zones established before activities
•Emphasis on gentle tagging only - no pushing or grabbing
•Adequate spacing between teams during all activities
•Teacher positioned for optimal visibility of all participants
•Stop signal established and practiced

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for 360-degree visibility during Tag activities
•Monitor individual Rock Paper Scissors battles for fair play
•Watch for fatigue or overexertion in high-energy sections
•Ensure equal participation and prevent exclusion

Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal, assess injuries, provide appropriate first aid, contact school office if needed