Lesson Plan

Can We Build It? Lesson Blueprint

Students will collaborate in teams to plan, design, and build a stable paper tower, practicing communication, role-taking, and cooperative problem-solving to achieve a shared goal.

Building the paper tower encourages essential relationship skills like active listening, clear communication, and constructive feedback, helping students learn to work effectively in teams.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Hook: Tower Teaser

5 minutes

Step 2

Direct Instruction

5 minutes

Step 3

Group Planning

10 minutes

Step 4

Building Activity

15 minutes

Step 5

Showcase & Reflection

7 minutes

Step 6

Assessment & Closure

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Can We Build It?

Welcome students enthusiastically. Briefly introduce today’s hands-on challenge and spark curiosity by asking how we might work together to build something tall.

Lesson Objective

Read the objective aloud and highlight that teamwork skills are our learning goal. Encourage students to listen for ways they will practice cooperation.

What Is Cooperation?

Define cooperation in your own words and invite quick examples from students. Record one or two student ideas on board.

Team Roles

Explain each role clearly. Encourage teams to choose roles based on their strengths and remind them they can rotate if time allows.

Challenge Instructions

Walk students through the planning and building steps. Remind them to sketch first and then build, testing stability as they go.

Reflection Prompts

Lead a circle discussion. Encourage honest sharing and positive feedback. Emphasize lessons learned for next time.

Lesson Plan

Can We Build It? Lesson Blueprint

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

Step 1

Hook: Tower Teaser

Step 2

Direct Instruction

Step 3

Group Planning

Step 4

Building Activity

Step 5

Showcase & Reflection

Step 6

Assessment & Closure

Slide Deck

Can We Build It?

Lesson Objective

What Is Cooperation?

Team Roles

Challenge Instructions

Reflection Prompts

Activity

Script

Cool Down

Can We Build It?

Celia Bechtel